2023 WORLD CONFERENCE AGAINSTATOMIC AND HYDROGEN BOMBS“WITH THE HIBAKUSHA, LET US ACHIEVE A NUCLEAR-WEAPONFREE, PEACEFUL AND JUST WORLD – FOR THE FUTURE OF THE
HUMANKIND AND OUR PLANET”

BY H.E. MR. AHMAD FAISAL MUHAMADPERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA
TO THE UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK

CLOSING PLENARY
6 AUGUST 2022

(PRE-RECORDED VIDEO MESSAGE)

Opening• May I first record my appreciation to the organizing committee of the 2023
World Conference against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs for inviting me tospeak at this year’s conference, building on Malaysia’s participation inprevious iterations.
• Amidst a range of challenges confronting the international community inthe peace and security as well as socio-economic domains, thisConference retains a critical role. It is part of global efforts to achieve1nuclear disarmament, leveraging on the convening power of civil society,and its capacity to effect substantive change.
• In this regard, the resolve of the Hibakusha is indeed admirable, and asource of inspiration to many. The experience of the Hibakusha will
forever remain, in the collective consciousness of humankind, a reminderof the unacceptable dangers and moral repugnance of nuclear weapons.
We must never forget the loss of life, injury and unspeakable suffering
caused by the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.
• It is inconceivable that, over seven decades later, nuclear weapons
continue to plague our world. Today, their possession by a select groupof States undermines peace, security and sustainable development forall.

Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons• In the wake of the Second World War, the Preamble of the UN Charterboldly declared that the peoples of the United Nations were “determinedto save succeeding generations from the scourge of war”. This central
promise of the world organisation remains ever relevant in times ofheightened geopolitical tension.
• Any threat or use of nuclear weapons is totally unacceptable. Indeed, theirvery existence cannot be reconciled with basic ethical and security
considerations. We must reject arguments which seek to justify theretention and modernisation of nuclear arsenals.
2• The abhorrent nature of nuclear weapons cannot be masked bysophisticated military concepts, doctrines and policies which place theinterests of some States above others’, to the detriment of the entire
planet.

Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)• The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) remains
the cornerstone of the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation
regime. It plays a critical role in international peace and security as wellas the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and technology.
• The full and effective implementation of the NPT, across its three pillars,
is as vital today as it has ever been. The inability of two successive NPT
Review Conferences to adopt a substantive outcome is indeed a causefor concern. States Parties should redouble our efforts to uphold theintegrity and credibility of the Treaty, which cannot be taken for granted.

Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW)• The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) represents animportant milestone in our steady advance towards a world free of nuclearweapons. This landmark instrument is fully compatible with andcomplementary to the NPT.

3• As Co-Chair of the informal working group on universalisation of theTPNW, together with South Africa, Malaysia has worked with TPNWStates Parties and partners to increase the Treaty’s membership. Equallyimportant is promoting the Treaty’s underlying rationale and message,
through advocacy to governments and publics at large.
• During the TPNW’s First Meeting of States Parties in Vienna in June 2022,
the testimony from Hibakusha as well as communities harmed by nuclear
testing was indeed moving. Their collective voice is a powerful force forchange, as we prepare for the Second Meeting of States Parties in New
York later this year.

Closing

Ladies and gentlemen,• I trust you have had productive deliberations over the last few days, andlook forward to considering new ideas and recommendations from thisConference.
• Let us remain steadfast in our resolve to attain a nuclear-weapon-freeworld, recognising the role of key stakeholders such as our partners incivil society. Meaningful change requires sustained political will, uniting
peoples around the world in a common endeavour to ensure lasting peace
and prosperity.

Thank you.
4