Israel's participation in WUF9 was at UN agency's invitation: Anifah
KUALA LUMPUR: Israel's participation in the 9th World Urban Forum (WUF9) here recently was based on an invitation by the United Nations through its agency, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), the convenor of WUF9.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman emphasised that unlike other letters of invitation, the letter of invitation to Israel was not signed by any Malaysian official.
He said the invitation to Israel, signed by the Executive Director of UN-Habitat, was in accordance to the Host Country Agreement signed between the agency and Malaysia.
"Article III of the Agreement states, in part, that participation in the forum shall be open, among others, to all Member States of the United Nations and any of its Specialised Agencies," he said in a statement today.
The minister said signing the Host Country Agreement was a requirement for any UN conference to be held away from any of the UN's established headquarters.
Noting that Malaysia's position on Israel remained unchanged, Anifah said the issue of Malaysia tacitly establishing links with Israel through the hosting of this forum did not arise.
"To imply otherwise is an indication of malicious and malignant intent," he said.
For the record, Malaysia did not establish diplomatic ties with Israel.
He said there had been attempts by some irresponsible parties to gain political mileage out of Israel's participation in WUF9.
It should be noted, he added, that WUF9 was widely acknowledged to have been a success and it raised the country's profile and showcased its achievements in the promotion, articulation and implementation of the New Urban Agenda, said Anifah.
"It (WUF9) saw the participation of more than 25,000 people, with 69 countries being represented at the ministerial level. All Malaysians should be proud of our country's successful hosting of this prestigious and important Forum," he added.
The WUF9 was held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from Feb 7 to 13. — Bernama