Malaysia's 80th UNGA National Statement calls for reform, reiterate unwavering support for Palestine

Malaysia's Permanent Representative to the UN, Datuk Dr Ahmad Faisal Muhamad, said the national statement will be delivered by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan during the High-Level General Debate on Saturday at 5 pm local time (5 am Malaysian time).

"The (national) statement will very likely highlight a few important points, of course, the reflection on the establishment of the United Nations, its purposes, successes and failures, the need for reform, the future of the UN, as well as the role of multilateralism.

"It will also emphasise Malaysia's stance on Palestine, particularly the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the concerns of the Global South, and development issues, which are Malaysia's priorities as ASEAN Chair," he told the media at Malaysia's Permanent Mission to the UN on Wednesday.

He also noted that this year's General Assembly is highly significant as the UN commemorates its 80th anniversary against the backdrop of deepening divisions, heightened tensions and existential threats such as climate change.

"We have heard basically most of the leaders who have spoken yesterday and today, actually touching on this point, the 80th anniversary of the UN, and how the UN has so far met the expectations of those leaders that actually set up the organisation 80 years ago, and how to move forward.

"So I think this is also the main message that will be conveyed by our Foreign Minister," he said.

Ahmad Faisal said Mohamad is also scheduled to hold a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines to strengthen ties and discuss issues of mutual interest.

"These include, among others, the 15th UN Group of Friends on Mediation Meeting, Ministerial Meeting in Support of UNRWA (The UN agency for Palestinian refugees), OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) Annual Coordination Meeting of Foreign Ministers, and a meeting with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

"We have also confirmed the Foreign Minister's bilateral meeting with his counterparts from Slovenia, the Republic of Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Uganda, Thailand, and Jordan," he added.

The 80th UNGA is themed "Better Together: 80 Years and More for Peace, Development and Human Rights".