On 15 May 2020, the Security Council held an open video conference on its working methods. Ambassador Zhang Jun, Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, attended the meeting and delivered a statement, putting forward a series of suggestions on improving the efficiency, effectiveness and transparency of the work of the Council.

Ambassador Zhang stated, the Security Council bears the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. On the eve of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, more than ever, we need multilateralism, a strong United Nations, a robust Security Council, and solidarity and cooperation among Member States. Council members should take the lead in upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, the international system with the UN at its core, and the international order underpinned by international law. The Council should concentrate on regional and international hotspot issues, promote political settlement of disputes and continue to keep Africa as its priority. And the Council must be committed to addressing root-causes of conflict, ensuring development through peace and promoting peace through development.

Ambassador Zhang emphasized, COVID-19 is posing a formidable challenge to the work of the Council. Improving efficiency, effectiveness and transparency of the Council’s work is what Member States strongly expect. It is also necessary for tackling extraordinary situations like the pandemic. At present, it is imperative to conduct international cooperation against COVID-19, support the Secretary-General’s appeal for a global ceasefire and immediately lift unilateral sanctions. Bearing in mind the expectation of the international community, the Council should adopt a responsible and constructive approach, prevent politicization, take actions in addressing the negative impact of the pandemic on maintaining international peace and security, and make sure the Council plays a crucial role at critical moments.

Ambassador Zhang pointed out that China supports the Council in improving itself on the basis of observing the UN Charter and its provisional rules of procedure, to better address new circumstances and challenges in discharging its mandate. In March, with the joint efforts of all Council members and China, we devised new working modalities for emergencies. For the first time, the Council held video conferences and adopted resolutions through written procedures. These practices have enriched the Council’s working methods and improved its working mechanism, enabling the Council to deliver tangible results at a difficult time. China will work with other Council members to build on the good practices and improve the Council’s working methods, to ensure the Council’s ability of safeguarding peace and security for the world with concrete actions.