Security Council reform

China supports reform of the United Nations Security Council and its membership for developing countries.

At the session of General Assembly, Chinese Ambassador to the UN Liu Zhenmin clarified the country's consistent position. He highlighted the developing countries, especially African ones, should be given more seats at the council.

It is important for developing countries to gain a stronger presence in a reformed Security Council.

Security Council reform is one of the most important issues facing the world organization. It should help the council play a better role in maintaining international security.

Developing countries, which account for more than two thirds of the UN membership, are grossly under-represented at the council.

This makes it impossible for them to realize their aspirations.

The case for Africa's representation in the council is particularly strong. The African continent contains the largest number of countries with the lowest indices of economic health. The UN should play a bigger part in its development, including poverty reduction. A method is needed to involve a larger number of countries in the global economy.

If some parts of Africa are torn by internal conflicts, poverty and economic deprivations have much to do with it.

Besides, more seats for developing countries at the Security Council will give its membership a better balance.

The question of strengthening the General Assembly should also be studied. Representativeness is practically universal in the Assembly, where states participate on an equal footing and where the ideal of international democracy attains its clearest expression. It is essential to raise its efficiency.

The world organization is also an effective platform for collective action to cope with threats and challenges.

Its ability to engage in peace- keeping and other field operations and in post-conflict peace-building is unparalleled.

The UN needs to mobilize the means to enable developing countries to achieve social and economic development in the face of the challenges imposed by economic globalization. It is essential to fill the gaps between states and give a new impetus to international cooperation and multilateralism.

(China Daily 10/08/2008 page8)