Strong UN-Asean ties can contribute to international peace

KUALA LUMPUR: A strong cooperation between Asean and the United Nations (UN) can greatly contribute to international peace and security, sustainable development and equitable economic growth, as well as human rights protection and creating a people-oriented society.
Permanent Representative of Malaysia to the UN, Datuk Ramlan Ibrahim said only by strengthening such ties, member states could take full advantage of current and future opportunities, and effectively respond to regional and global challenges.
"Asean believes that we would be able to make substantial contributions by sharing its best practices and experiences on conflict prevention, peacemaking, peace building efforts and cooperative engagement with the United Nations and all member states," he said.
Addressing the High Level Thematic Debate on Strengthening Cooperation between the UN and Regional and Sub-Regional Organisations on behalf of the Asean at the 69th Session of the UN, New York on Monday, he said they also needed to explore innovative and new areas of cooperationto further strengthen the UN-Asean cooperation.
Both Asean and the UN have had a long history of engagement based on common desire to promote cooperation in political and security, economic and socio-cultural pillars, he said.
Ramlan pointed out Malaysia is privileged to serve as the Chair of Asean for the fourth time this year and it would be a milestone for Asean in its vision to create the Asean Community by the end of December.
"Asean stands united to achieve good governance, higher standards of living, sustainable development, empowerment of women and youth, and greater opportunity for all people.
"Under Malaysia's chairmanship it has resolved to make the organisation more people-centred in line with the theme 'Our people, Our Community, Our Vision'," he said.
He noted the recently concluded 26th Asean summit held in Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi had demonstrated these elements through the adoption of the 'Kuala Lumpur Declaration on People-Oriented, People-Centred Asean' and the 'Declaration on Institutionalising the Resilience of Asean and its Communities and Peoples to Disaster and Climate Change'.
Another important document adopted by Asean leaders was the 'Langkawi Declaration on The Global Movement of Moderates' which comprehensively outlines the philosophy of moderation as an established Asean value, in all its dimensions. – Bernama