Norway, Malaysia call for stronger multilateralism, rule-based global order

The Star

10-07-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Norway believes countries like itself and Malaysia play a crucial role in strengthening global multilateralism and promoting adherence to international law amid rising global instability, said Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik.
Kravik said both countries share a similar worldview, particularly the conviction that multilateral institutions must be safeguarded to address global challenges effectively.
"I think we share the same basic take on the world, namely that we have to sustain multilateralism to overcome global problems such as the climate crisis, regulating artificial intelligence (AI), and growing our respective economies, ensuring that we can reduce armed conflict.
"Unfortunately, we are seeing more conflict, so that needs to be addressed,' he told Bernama on the sidelines of the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM).
Kravik said that Norway, Malaysia and other like-minded countries in the region recognise the importance of collective action and sustained multilateral cooperation in addressing shared priorities.
He said both countries share a commitment to the United Nations (UN) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and a clear belief in the consistent application of international law.
Referring to the opening session of the AMM, he said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had underscored the shared responsibility of states to uphold international law without double standards, a principle that remains a consistent thread in Malaysia's foreign policy.
Kravik reaffirmed Norway's commitment to principle-based diplomacy, citing its firm stance on ongoing conflicts, including Israel's military actions in Gaza and the continued expansion of settlements in the West Bank.
"There are certain countries that think that we should divide the world into spheres of influence, which is something that we take a strong issue with,' he said, stressing the need to sustain respect for international law and multilateral cooperation.
On the humanitarian crises unfolding in Gaza and other regions, Kravik said countries like Norway and Malaysia must remain consistent in applying international humanitarian principles across all situations.
He noted Norway's support for Palestine's right to statehood, emphasising that upholding international principles has long been central to its foreign policy, a commitment shared with Malaysia and other countries in the region.
"We all have an obligation to really stand up for these principles, and the problem is that some countries invoke these principles only when it suits their narrow self-interest in the short term," he said.
He said that Norway has adopted a consistent approach by applying the essential principles of international law universally, without selectively focusing on specific regions or contexts.
The 58th AMM and related meetings, held under Malaysia's 2025 Asean Chairmanship themed 'Inclusivity and Sustainability,' feature 24 ministerial-level meetings, including engagements with Asean Dialogue Partners and Sectoral Dialogue Partners.
The high-level meetings taking place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from July 8 to 11 bring together about 1,500 delegates. - Bernama