Malaysia Will Continue Support Towards Strengthening, Reform Of UN - M'sian Foreign Minister

KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will continue to strongly support the strenghthening and reform of the United Nations (UN) under the leadership of its Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (right), said Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman (left). He said despite differences, Malaysia's aspirations and that of the UN were the same - to meet the needs of the people and if united, can effect dramatic and promising change to meet current and future challenges. "The UN reflects our combined aspirations for lasting international peace and security. Now we need to take a step forward and mandate the UN to reinvent itself in vital areas in order for us to equip ourselves better to deal with formidable challenges at present and in future. "We gather here against the backdrop of change and challenges, and despite our differences, our aspirations are the same - to meet the needs of the people," he said in his speech when hosting a welcoming dinner in conjunction with Ban's two-day visit to Malaysia, here Wednesday night. Also present were his deputy A. Kohilan Pillay and Chief Secretary to the Malaysian Government, Mohd Sidek Hassan. Ban, accompanied by his wife, Ban Soon-taek, and delegation comprising UN senior officials and staff, arrived in Malaysia on Wednesday, his first visit since taking office on Jan 1, 2007. Anifah said Malaysia acknowledged that effecting change generally was an uphill battle, where the feat was even more challenging for the UN given the diversity of its membership and the multiplicity of issues. "We have to accept that times have changed and must change with time, to ensure our survival and that of the UN," he said. As the UN secretary-general, Ban is giving his priority to promoting sustainable development, empowering women, supporting countries facing crisis or instability, generating new momentum on disarmament, arms control, non-proliferation and strengthening the UN. (photoBERNAMA) MALAYSIA