NEW YORK: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi arrived here on Monday for a five-day working visit to the United States.
The highlight of the trip will be Zahid chairing a debate at the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday on "Challenges in addressing proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, related materials, equipment and technology to non-state actors".
Zahid said more than 50 countries had indicated interest in attending the debate.
"The high-level presiding of the meeting demonstrates Malaysia’s commitment to the UN and multilateralism," he said, adding that 63 speakers were expected present their views on the proliferation of WMDs, among them UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, whose term is expected to end this year.
Ban's successor will be elected by the UN General Assembly from at least 11 candidates that have been reported.
The security council will whittle down the list for the UNGA to consider, and Zahid said Malaysia would play a crucial role in the selection of the new secretary-general.
"We believe in the need for the selection process to be transparent and inclusive," he said.
Malaysia is a non-permanent member of the UNSC since Jan 1, and holds the rotating presidency of the highest decision-making body in the UN this month.
Zahid arrived at his hotel here about 4pm (4am, Tuesday, Malaysian time), and was greeted by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman and officials from Malaysia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations.
Accompanying the deputy prime minister is his wife Datin Seri Hamidah Khamis.