Revamped UN needed to end wars, says Muhyiddin
KUALA LUMPUR: The United Nations (UN) should be reformed to improve its capacity to deal with conflicts, many of which remain unresolved in various parts of the world, said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
He noted the UN had “somewhat failed” to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.
“While we acknowledge that the UN has done well in areas such as promoting social and economic development, it has somehow failed to resolve conflicts,” he said in Malaysia’s national statement at a high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly to commemorate the organisation’s 75th anniversary.
This is his maiden UN address since taking over as prime minister in March. The meeting was held virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the statement was pre-recorded at his office in Putrajaya.
Muhyiddin said the UN should be better equipped, not just with political latitude but also with continued support from member states, when responding to some of the most glaring problems the world is facing.
“The time is right for the UN to take stock of its achievements, address its weaknesses and remove all obstacles that prevent its continued progress.”
He also expressed concern that in recent years, certain countries had chosen to disregard UN agreements.
“For instance, the Paris Agreement, which is a culmination of international efforts that began with the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, was a milestone in the effort to combat climate change.”
Unfortunately, he said, certain countries have opted to disregard this and other agreements, including those on human rights. “We must take heed of what our people want and hope for.”
Muhyiddin also lauded the initiative to get people around the world to share their aspirations, hopes and priorities for the future. Nearly 40,000 people have already responded to the effort known as the UN75 Initiative within three months of its launch.
On the pandemic, he said all nations and peoples should have equal access to a vaccine once it is available.