NEW YORK – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s first appearance as Malaysian prime minister at the United Nations’ (UN) general assembly this week is being anticipated to infuse a much-needed new breath of life to the voice of the Global South shaken by worldwide economic malaise.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir said that several leaders of UN member nations have expressed their wish to hear Anwar’s views on the crises afflicting the world. These include major conflicts presently taking place in certain parts of the globe.
“In my interactions with world leaders, such as those at the G77 Summit in Havana (held last week), many expressed the desire to meet our prime minister, whose views they value.
“The leaders of several nations whom we met stated that they were looking forward to Datuk Seri Anwar’s speech at the general assembly in view of his experience and leadership,” Zambry said.
“They are looking for a new framework, especially to elevate the status of South-South relations, while improving ties between the (Global) South and the North.”
The highlight of Anwar’s presence at the UN will be his speech to the general assembly, currently slated for delivery at 10pm (Malaysian time) on Friday.
The theme for the general debate of the assembly is “Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all,” Zambry noted.
In line with this, Anwar will share Malaysia’s efforts to handle the climate crisis and actions taken towards achieving the 2030 Agenda.
“The prime minister will also give his views on global issues and the role that should be played by the international community to overcome challenges together,” he said.
Zambry was speaking at a media briefing for the 78th general assembly of the United Nations yesterday.
The briefing was held at the office of the Permanent Mission of Malaysia to the UN at East 43rd Street here. Also present was Malaysia’s ambassador to the US, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.
Anwar will also hold bilateral meetings with the leaders of Turkiye, Iran, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Iraq and the Extractive Industries Transparency Institute.
Zambry added that Anwar has also been invited to deliver the Friday sermon at the Islamic Cultural Centre of New York, making him the first leader of a foreign country to be given the honour to do so.
On Wednesday, Anwar is scheduled to participate in a roundtable discussion with Fortune 500 companies and a session with Invest Malaysia New York.
During both sessions, he will also have deliberations with a few potential American investors to Malaysia, including Boeing, Kimberly Clark, Philip Morris International, and Procter & Gamble.
On the same day, he will engage in a discussion with members of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), where they are expected to touch on Malaysia-US relations, the impact of the US-China rivalry on Malaysia, and the importance of Malaysian diplomacy in Southeast Asia. This session will be held at the CFR office here.
During his few days in New York, the prime minister is also slated to be interviewed by CNN and Bloomberg on his views on Malaysia’s future economic challenges and the climate change issue.
Anwar is being accompanied by three members of his cabinet – Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, and Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa.
Meanwhile, Zambry today attended the Sustainable Development Goals Summit and the Informal Gathering of World Economic Leaders at the UN headquarters here.
He also held bilateral meetings with United Arab Emirates (UAE) Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Rwanda Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta, and Hungary’s Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Péter Szijjártó. – The Vibes, September 19, 2023
