NEW YORK, September 23 – Drastic, systemic renewal and a realignment of global institutions are crucial to address the wide gap between economic growth and income, leading to persistent inequality, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He stated that if this issue is not addressed, the world will continue to experience increasingly apparent inequalities, further distinguishing between countries and their people.
The global economy is also projected to continue to be hampered by geopolitical uncertainties, supply chain disruptions, rising commodity prices, and challenging financial conditions,” he said while delivering the National Statement during the General Debate at the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters here on Friday. He said that when income growth fails to match economic growth, households end up burdened with debt. We now have a situation where the very wealthy coexist with the very poor. The difference lies starkly in the essentials: adequate income to cover basic needs, housing, access to quality education, and healthcare, he noted.
“The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 confirms that we are falling behind, with almost one-third of the targets either in inertia or worse, backsliding,” he added. Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, shared Malaysia’s efforts in addressing the climate crisis to achieve Agenda 2030, the country’s direction based on the Madani Malaysia framework, and several other global issues. Earlier this year, I introduced Madani Malaysia – a values-based vision that we believe is essential in any developing, progressive, and harmoniously secure society – Compassion, Respect, Confidence, Innovation, Well-being, Sustainability.
“These fundamental principles and moral values are also applicable in the context of our relations with other countries,” he said. This is his first appearance as Prime Minister at the annual gathering. The theme of this year’s General Debate is “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.”
During the official visit to join other world leaders at the general assembly, Anwar was accompanied by his wife, Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail; Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir; Interior Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail; Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz; Health Minister Dr. Zaliha Mustafa; as well as several Members of Parliament and government officials.
