PRESS RELEASE

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF MALAYSIA

DATO’ SRI ANIFAH AMAN ON THE PARTICIPATION OF THE ISRAELI
DELEGATION IN THE 9th WORLD URBAN FORUM IN KUALA LUMPUR
7 – 13 FEBRUARY 2018

There have been attempts by some irresponsible parties to gain political mileage out
of Israel’s participation in the 9th World Urban Forum (WUF9), which was held at the
Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from 7 to 13 February 2018.

2. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to clarify that Israel’s participation was
based on an invitation issued by the United Nations, through its agency the United
Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), the convenor of WUF9.

3. The invitation to Israel, signed by the Executive Director of UN-Habitat, was in

accordance to the Host Country Agreement signed between that organisation and
Malaysia. Article III of the Agreement states, in part, that participation in the Forum
shall be open, among others, to all the Member States of the United Nations and any
of its Specialised Agencies. Signing the Host Country Agreement is a requirement for
any UN conference to be held away from any of the UN’s established headquarters.

4. It needs to be emphasised that unlike the other letters of invitation, the letter of
invitation to Israel was not signed by any Malaysian official. Therefore, the issue of
Malaysia tacitly establishing links with Israel through the hosting of this Forum does
not arise. Our position on Israel remains unchanged. To imply otherwise is an
indication of malicious and malignant intent.

5. It should be noted that WUF9 was widely acknowledged to have been a

success. It raised Malaysia’s profile and showcased Malaysia’s achievements in the
promotion, articulation and implementation of the New Urban Agenda. It saw the
participation of more than 25,000 people, with 69 countries being represented at the
Ministerial level. All Malaysians should be proud of our country’s successful hosting of
this prestigious and important Forum.

DATO’ SRI ANIFAH AMAN

Minister of Foreign Affairs
15 February 2018

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DIVISION OF COMMUNICATION AND PUBLIC DIPLOMACY
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MALAYSIA
NO. 1, JALAN WISMA PUTRA, PRECINCT 2
62602 PUTRAJAYA
Portal: www.kln.gov.my Fax: 03-8889 2726 Email: dcpd@kln.gov.my