Malaysia supports the United Nations Security Council global ceasefire resolution

On 23 March 2020, an appeal for an immediate global ceasefire was made by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to help unite forces against the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response to the appeal, Malaysia led the initiative to release a Statement of Support on 23 June to the United Nations Secretary-General’s appeal in collaboration with cross-regional partners, namely Bangladesh, Ecuador, Egypt, Jamaica, Japan, Oman, Senegal, Slovenia, and Sweden.

This is the first Statement that was opened to all UN Member States and Observers that called for a global effort in maintaining peace and stability during these trying times.

The United Nations Security Council announced in a video conference meeting yesterday (1 July) its unanimous decision to adopt resolution 2532 (2020) in support of the appeal.

The resolution demanded a general and immediate cessation of hostilities in all situations and for countries to engage in a “durable humanitarian pause” for at least 90 consecutive days, to enable the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable countries affected by the COVID-19 pandemic . However, the Council affirmed that the ceasefire does not apply to ongoing military operations against Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh), Al-Qaida and Al-Nusra Front, as well as other Council-designated terrorist groups.

The 15-member organ has also requested for peacekeeping missions to support host country efforts to contain the global pandemic.