UN important contributor to global peace and development in last 65 years: Chinese envoy

27 Oct, 2010
Source:Xinhua

The United Nations has made great contributions to global peace and development in the past 65 years, Chinese Ambassador Li Baodong said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

On the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the founding of the world body, Li said in a written interview with Xinhua that the past 65 years have witnessed the great achievements of the United Nations by safeguarding world peace and security and promoting economic development.

It is clearly stated in the UN Charter that the United Nations is determined to "save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind," Li said.

"As the essential guideline for contemporary international relations, the Charter has laid the foundation for nations to solve conflicts through dialogue and prevent armed conflicts, as well as set principles for developing relations among nations," the ambassador said.

To safeguard international peace and security, the United Nations implements various measures, including peaceful means such as negotiation, mediation, conciliation, arbitration and others; collective security approaches such as sanctions and use of force; and the deployment of peacekeeping operations, he added.

Up till now, the United Nations has deployed 64 peacekeeping operations with the participation of hundreds of thousands of people, costing some 70 billion U.S. dollars.

With successes in Cambodia, Timor-Leste and Namibia, the UN peacekeeping operation has won international recognition and support, thus becoming an important means to maintain peace and security, Li said.

As for promoting global development, Li said the United Nations has held international conferences on issues of economy, finance, trade and environment; launched negotiations and set up a global framework; and provided technical assistance and cooperation.

Besides, the United Nations helps developing countries enhance their ability through specialized agencies like the UN Development Program, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and others.

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the eight targets set at the UN Millennium Summit to slash poverty by 2015, have become the guideline for international development and cooperation, Li added.

However, as the international situation continues to undergo pro found and complex changes, the United Nations also faces various challenges and threats, Li said.

Regional hotspot issues keep emerging and local disturbances crop up from time to time, leaving the security situation more complex and diverse. Forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism remain problems in some regions. International issues including climate change, the financial crisis, drug trafficking, and transnational crimes are increasingly evident.

The ambassador said the United Nations needs to consider issues such as improving its efficiency and effectiveness, representing voices from developing countries to respect and protect their interests, and strengthening the supervision of the work of the world body.

Calling the United Nations "the most important platform to practice multilateralism," Li said China supports the United Nations "in further harnessing its advantages and taking effective actions to coordinate international efforts in response to global threats and challenges and continuing to play a central role in international affairs."

On the reform of the United Nations, Li said China supports necessary and reasonable reforms by the United Nations in the light of developments in the international situation to enhance its authority and efficiency.

"The UN has taken a series of reform measures and achieved important outcomes, but progress so far still falls short of the expectations of member states," he said.

"The international community should adhere to extensive and democratic consultation as a means to push for comprehensive reform across the fields, with special attention to increase development so as to achieve the MDGs on schedule for the benefit of developing countries," he added.