KUALA LUMPUR:Malaysia will participate for the second time in the Voluntary National Review (VNR) at the 2021 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development by the United Nations (UN).

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Wisma Putra), in a statement in conjunction with the UN's 75th anniversary today, said the VNR, which reports the actions and measures taken by Malaysia to advance the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goalsem (/emSDGs), reflects Malaysia's commitment to fulfill the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda).

"Malaysia greatly values the 2030 Agenda, which is aligned with the five-year national development plans of Malaysia)," it said.

According to the statement, as a member of the UN since 1957, Malaysia is also committed to promoting the three founding pillars of the UN, which are peace and security, human rights and development, and also continue to work with other UN member states to uphold multilateralism and promote global cooperation on the world stage.

It added that, speaking at the High-Level Meeting of the UN General Assembly to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the UN held last month, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to the UN as the only global institution that the international community can claim ownership.

Under the theme 'The future we want, the UN we need: Reaffirming our collective commitment to multilateralism', the High-Level Meeting also witnessed the adoption of the Declaration on the Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the UN by all leaders of UN member states, including Malaysia.

"The Declaration recognises the necessity of multilateralism to address global challenges and reaffirm the importance of implementing the 2030 Agenda," the statement said.

Wisma Putra also said in support of strengthening international peace and security, Malaysia deposited its instrument of ratification of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) on Sept 30, which is a testament of Malaysia’s unwavering commitment towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons.

Furthermore, the ministry said, Malaysia has participated in 36 UN peacekeeping missions since 1960, having deployed more than 35,000 troops to date.

"Malaysia is also proud to host the Asia Pacific hub for the World Food Programme (WFP) UN Humanitarian Response Depot, which facilitates global efforts to provide humanitarian and disaster relief assistance to countries in need, as we continue to fight the unprecedented challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic," it said.

The statement said, on this auspicious UN day, Malaysia renews its commitment to continue cooperating and engaging with the UN and all its member states, based on the principles of mutual respect and international law, as enshrined in the UN Charter.

"Malaysia joins the international community in celebrating the 75th anniversary of the United Nations (UN) today. UN Day is an annual celebration to mark the entry into force of the Charter of the UN, which led to the establishment of this august body on this day in 1945," it added.

-- BERNAMA