Malaysia bangkit isu relevansi PBB, kukuh multilateralisme di perhimpunan agung

Malaysia is set to highlight the importance of strengthening multilateralism and ensuring the UN remains relevant at the UN General Assembly 81st session starting from September 23rd to 27th. Deputy Permanent Representative of Malaysia to the UN, Nadzirah Osman, emphasized that the UN must remain relevant, revitalized, and empowered to fulfill its role in maintaining global security, justice, and dignity for all humanity.

In a media briefing before the session, Osman stressed that no single country can effectively tackle the global challenges of today. The session, themed "Restoring trust, managing transformation, a United Nations that delivers for all," comes as concerns grow about the effectiveness of multilateralism and the body's ability to act on global challenges.

President Donald Trump of the US criticized the effectiveness and bureaucracy of the UN during his address to the General Assembly on Tuesday, arguing that countries need to take action instead of relying on international institutions to resolve conflicts. Apart from reinforcing multilateralism, Malaysia's statement is expected to touch on issues such as Palestine, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, UN reform and the Security Council, development reform, and sustainable development goals.

The UN faces financial pressures and leadership change, with UN Under-Secretary-General Antonio Guterres set to leave the post at the end of the year. The competition to replace him involves four women out of seven candidates, all former heads of state or government, according to Nadzirah. "Regardless of who takes the helm, the reform process must continue," she said, noting the UN's Iniative UN80 and the organization's financial situation as reasons why the time is critical.

Mohamad is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with prominent figures and foreign ministers from countries like Nepal, Iran, Kuwait, Ghana, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Algeria. He will also meet Guterres, UN Secretary-General Khalilur Rahman, and UN Under-Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey. This is Mohamad's third time leading Malaysia's delegation to the General Assembly since taking over the portfolio of foreign affairs in December 2023.