UN expert urges ASEAN unity against West Asia aggression, warning Israel and US actions risk global destabilisation and economic crisis.
PUTRAJAYA: ASEAN leaders must unite to condemn aggression in West Asia. Actions by Israel and the United States risk destabilising the world and triggering a global economic crisis.
United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network president Professor Jeffrey D Sachs urged countries to act collectively. He stated that no single nation can confront the invaders alone.
“It’s important for countries to get together and all of the ASEAN leaders to say ‘This hurts us, this hurts the world, this needs to stop’,” he said. “It can stop when the aggressors, which is Israel and the United States stop their aggression.”
Sachs made these remarks after attending the Forum Ilmuwan Malaysia MADANI. The forum was titled ‘Strategies for Malaysia and ASEAN in an Era of Global Instability’.
He argued that a unified ASEAN voice representing 700 million people would be very powerful. He noted that global blocs like BRICS could also pressure Israel and the US to halt military operations.
“I think the war is going to stop when the important nations of the world get together and speak clearly,” Sachs told reporters. He said they must declare that the actions of Israel and the US are blatantly illegal and risk the entire world.
Sachs criticised countries aligned with the United States for being afraid to tell the truth. He called for leaders worldwide to hold aggressors accountable.
He praised Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for speaking clearly, truthfully, morally, and practically. “We need other leaders in the world to do the same,” Sachs added.
He argued that if the world collectively tells the US and Israel to stop the barbarism, they will have to comply. Earlier in his speech, Sachs said Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Iran must also stand together.
He stated that the war will not end until Gulf countries demand it stops and that Israel needs to go home. Prime Minister Anwar, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir were also present at the forum.
