Anniversary event highlights strong U.S.-Malaysia partnership and the country’s role as a regional champion of strategic trade controls

WASHINGTON – Senior U.S. officials from the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA), Department of State’s Office of the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, and the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security participated virtually in the Strategic Trade Act 10th Anniversary Celebration and Conference on April 8 and 9 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Malaysia’s commitment to implementing strategic trade controls.

The event, which garnered in-person participation by senior Malaysian officials, business leaders, several ambassadors, and an estimated 1,000 virtual attendees, highlighted the importance of strategic trade controls both in combating the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and promoting trade facilitation.

“Export controls represent one tool to prevent the acquisition and exploitation of strategic goods that pose a threat to global security,” said C.S. Eliot Kang, Senior Official for Arms Control and International Security, when opening an “Around the World” panel discussion comprised of senior nonproliferation officials from six countries. “The Strategic Trade Act’s passage marked a key milestone not just for Malaysia, but also for the development of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540-related nonproliferation policies and counter-proliferation capabilities across South East Asia.”

“Malaysia’s success in ensuring skilled technical experts are involved in implementing strategic trade controls helps promote secure trade and prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction,” said DOE Acting Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and NNSA Administrator Dr. Charles Verdon, “We are proud of our continued partnership.”

“Malaysia’s Strategic Trade Act has provided a strong regulatory framework for a whole-of government approach to strategic trade control administration and enforcement,” said Jeremy Pelter, Acting Under Secretary for the Bureau of Industry and Security. “This innovative approach enables a robust partnership between government and industry.”

U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia Brian McFeeters said: “U.S.-Malaysian cooperation on strategic trade controls is an example of our enduring and comprehensive partnership on a range of issues, from expanding trade and investment opportunities to strengthening international security, nonproliferation, and countering terrorism. We are proud to work together with Malaysia as a trusted trading partner.”

The U.S. Departments of Energy, State, and Commerce jointly collaborated with the Government of Malaysia for more than 15 years to share best practices on effectively managing the flow of proliferation-sensitive goods and technologies. Together, this bilateral relationship remains committed to advancing strategic trade control cooperation now and into the future.