Malaysia Reiterate Call On Donor Countries To Provide Financing For UN Development System

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 (Bernama) -- The growing imbalance between core and non-core resources threatens the effective operation of the United Nations (UN) development system, especially at the country level, said Malaysia's permanent representative to the UN, Hussein Haniff. He said thus, Malaysia wished to reiterate its call on donor countries to honour their commitment to provide financing for UN operational activities. "The trend of increased earmarked funding will be more acceptable, as long as core funding follows the same pattern, and this is important for the UN to achieve the critical mass and adequate cost recovery in the operational activities," he said. Hussein said this in his address on Agenda Item 24: Operational Activities for Development and South-South Cooperation for Development at the Second Committee of the 69th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York Wednesday. The text of his speech was released here Thursday. While welcoming the increasing importance of triangular cooperation and the opportunities to cooperate with developed countries, he said Official Development Assistance (ODA) remains critical to the needs of developing countries, in particular, countries in vulnerable situations. "We urge traditional development partners to fulfill their ODA commitments without further delay," he added. When addressing Agenda Item 52 on Comprehensive Review of the Whole of Peacekeeping Operations in all their Aspect at the Forth Committee of the 69th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York on the same day, Hussein said the current challenges of peacekeeping operations is becoming more complex and demanding. "Modernising the peacekeeping equipment is crucial and deploying modern technologies is essential for a better operational effectiveness and at the same time, mission requires to manage their limited resources. "The basic principles of peacekeeping, including impartiality and non use of force except for self defense, must be adhered to," he added. Hussein also believes that training was also one of the key elements for peacekeepers other than emphasis on the importance of Security and Defense Sector Reform as vital aspect of multidimensional peacekeeping operations. "Malaysia has the experience to undertake activities aimed to "win the hearts and minds" of the local people who would eventually create a conducive environment for socio-economic development and ready to facilitate the host country", he added Meanwhile, he noted that in setting the agenda for the promotion and protection of human rights in the region, Asean would continue to adopt a non confrontational and constructive approach to engage in regional particularities and the balance between rights and responsibilities. "Mainstreaming human rights in the implementation of the respective blueprints of Asean will help to ensure a strengthened, caring society and moving forward in peace," he said Hussein also said Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) is a testament to Asean's commitment to pursue forward looking strategies to strengthen regional cooperation on human rights. He said this in his address on Agenda Item 68 (B): Human Rights Questions Including Alternative Approaches for Improving the Effective Enjoyment of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and Agenda Item 68 (C) on Human Rights Situations and reports of special Rapporteurs and Representatives. -- BERNAMA