Mohamad Hasan warns West Asia war, Hormuz closure ripple globally, urges UN reforms

New York, September 28 - Conflicts in West Asia and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz are no longer confined to the region, according to Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Malaysia's Foreign Minister. He warned that the impacts of today's wars extend far beyond the countries directly involved, affecting people worldwide through economic and daily life changes.

"In the past, the effects and suffering of war were felt by those directly involved, but now, because the world is interconnected, war is not only confined to the respective regions but its effects are also felt elsewhere," he said.

The war and Hormuz closure are causing issues for families in Southeast Asia, with rising goods prices, higher fuel costs, and other consequences, Hasan explained during a press conference following Malaysia's national statement at the UN General Assembly. He emphasized the need for the United Nations to revert to its founding principles, ensuring that lessons from war remain central to preventing human suffering and destruction.

He expressed concern over a growing "trust deficit" in global confidence in the UN, noting that international cooperation is faltering when conflicts continue in Europe, Africa, and West Asia. "Many have forgotten the suffering endured by people around the world, and how war brings suffering and destruction," he lamented.

Mohamad called for UN reforms, particularly in the Security Council, to curb the misuse of veto power, especially in cases of crimes against humanity, genocide, and other atrocities. He pointed out that even when over two-thirds of UN members support a resolution, its passage can be blocked by a veto, despite broad international backing. He lamented that despite numerous UN resolutions, decisions are often stalled by vetoes in the Security Council.

He also warned that international law violations and humanitarian law breaches persist without action, undermining the UN's effectiveness. Mohamad stressed that without addressing these issues, the UN will continue to fail in its expected objectives. Additionally, he called for clear regulations on artificial intelligence to prevent its misuse as a weapon in warfare, fearing it could become another force causing harm to humanity.