At Nordic Right, we are committed to advocating for and upholding human rights across the Nordic Region and beyond. Today, we stand in solidarity with Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s powerful address at the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, where he unapologetically called out the international community for its “flagrant hypocrisy” in addressing the long-standing crisis in Palestine.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in his maiden address at the UNGA, eloquently shed light on the ongoing global issues, including wars, humanitarian conflicts, and climate crises that are affecting communities worldwide. He emphasized the devastating impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has led to soaring food prices, food shortages, and hunger on a global scale. Anwar passionately condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and called for a united, multilateral effort led by the United Nations to find solutions to this grave crisis.
In his speech, Anwar expressed a fundamental truth: “We cannot choose our neighbors, but we can choose to live in peace with them.” He stressed the importance of cessation of hostilities by all parties involved and urged a return to the negotiation table for peaceful resolution.
Turning his attention to the Middle East, Anwar condemned the ongoing construction of illegal settlements, which strip Palestinians of their rightful land and constitute a gross violation of international law. These settlements also pose a significant obstacle to a two-state solution and have resulted in continued loss of life. Anwar called on the international community to speak out against these atrocities and challenged the world’s leaders to remain consistent in their commitment to human rights and justice.
Regionally, Anwar highlighted Malaysia’s role in addressing the Myanmar crisis through ASEAN’s five-point consensus, reaffirming Malaysia’s commitment to peace and stability in the region.
Addressing climate change, Anwar acknowledged the increasing adverse impacts on Malaysia, including rising temperatures, sea levels, intensified monsoons, and erratic weather patterns. He shared Malaysia’s efforts to develop low-carbon and renewable energy roadmaps and urged developed countries to fulfill their commitment of mobilizing USD100 billion annually to support climate ambition endeavors in developing nations.
Prime Minister Anwar concluded his speech by introducing the ‘Madani’ concept, a vision of harmonious society built on core values. He emphasized the relevance of these principles in international relations, calling for solidarity and collaboration among nations.
This year’s UNGA theme, “Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability for all,” resonates deeply with Nordic Rights’ mission to promote global solidarity in the fight for human rights.
Nordic Rights stands firmly behind Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s courageous words and calls on the international community to heed his impassioned plea for justice, peace, and solidarity in the face of the Palestine crisis and other global challenges.
