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Briefing by Chinese Ambassador Zhang Jun on the Work of Security Council of March

2020-03-31 21:14

President of the Security Council of March and Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations H.E. Mr. Zhang Jun:

As President of the Security Council, China has made strenuous efforts in fulfilling its responsibility amid the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and facilitated meaningful outcomes of the Council’s work at a challenging time.

COVID-19 poses a threat to human security and an enormous challenge to the functioning of the Security Council and all UN organs. However, the action of the Security Council would not be stopped by social distancing. China attaches great importance to the work of the Security Council. Since assuming Presidency of the Council, China has worked closely with Council members, doing everything possible to tackle the impact of the pandemic. China has explored emergency work plan, making it possible for the Council to discharge its mandate. New breakthroughs and good results have been achieved with the creation of new modalities and methods, which make the Security Council function effectively and play its due role during this difficult time.

China has made timely adjustments to the program of work in facing the spread of COVID-19. In the first two weeks, while keeping to the work plan in general, China took necessary precautionary measures to reduce the risks of infection, including asking each delegation to send no more than three participants for each meeting and moving internal consultations to the Chamber which is more spacious. With the worsening situation in the United States, the Security Council, following the arrangements of the UNHQ and supporting the efforts of New York City to combat the virus, postponed the meetings scheduled for the third week and made changes to the work plan for the fourth week. Meanwhile, great efforts were made to explore new methods for the conduct of meetings and discussions. The Council managed to focus on major topics, hotspot issues and latest developments, had its voice heard and took actions in a timely manner, and played its due role.

Making the Security Council well-functioning is, in itself, combating the pandemic and lending confidence and strength to the whole world. Despite the pandemic, the Council adopted six Resolutions, one Presidential Statement, five Press Statements and multiple press elements, among which two outcome products are the first of its kind in history. The Council is maintaining the international peace and world tranquility through concrete actions.

It is the first time that the Council engaged in a thematic discussion on countering terrorism and extremism in Africa and adopted a Presidential Statement. Africa’s request is China’s request, and Africa’s concern is China’s concern. Thus, focusing on Africa and supporting Africa is China’s tradition when presiding over the Council in an effort to promote peace and development in Africa. After thorough consultations with African countries, the Council convened a debate on “Countering terrorism and extremism in Africa” on 11 March under China’s initiative. Representatives on behalf of the UN Secretary-General António Guterres and AU Commission Chairman Moussa Faki briefed the Council. Members of the Council and 17 countries spoke at the meeting. A Presidential Statement was adopted unanimously, which underscored the importance of a holistic approach to counter terrorism and violent extremism, including capacity building, information sharing, border control, building judicial system, fighting foreign terrorist fighters and terrorism financing, and eradicating the breeding ground of terrorism to promote sustainable socioeconomic development and long-term stability of Africa.

It is the first time that the Council adopted a Resolution on safety and security of peacekeepers, Resolution 2518. The draft initiated and submitted by China acquired the unanimous support of the 15 Council members and is co-sponsored by 43 countries. Peacekeepers are the asset of the UN peacekeeping operations. Against the outbreak of COVID-19, strengthening the safety and security of peacekeepers is not only a realistic concern, but also a long-term strategic action. This Resolution is all the more timely and necessary. As a permanent member of the Security Council, a major troop contributing country and the second largest contributor to the UN peacekeeping budget, China actively supports the “Action for Peacekeeping” initiative by Secretary-General António Guterres. It is China’s hope that by adopting this Resolution, the international community increase investment in peacekeeping operations, help the troop/police contributing countries enhance capacity building, and strengthen the safety and security of peacekeepers, so as to improve the peacekeeping performance.

The Security Council adopted Resolution 2513 on Afghanistan situation, which supports a “Afghan owned and Afghan led” political process, strengthening the capacity building of Afghan National Security Force and promoting regional cooperation and Afghanistan construction. The Council also adopted Resolution 2514 on the UN Mission in South Sudan, Resolution 2515 on the Panel of Experts of 1718 Committee, Resolution 2516 on the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia and Resolution 2517 on the UN-AU Hybrid Operation in Darfur to renew their mandate or troop ceiling.

The Security Council made its voice heard on multiple incidents and regional issues. Dealing with hotspot issues is the core of the Council’s work. The Council adopted Press Statements on the attack to the peacekeeping soldiers of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic and the terrorist attack in Kabul, Afghanistan. Thanks to the work by China and the concerted efforts of the Council members, the Council overcame obstacles and discussed in time the latest development in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea-Bissau, Libya, Syria, Palestine and Afghanistan. It spoke in one voice through press elements, and committed to promoting political settlement of disputes and contributing to international and regional peace and security. The Council also discussed the negative impact of the pandemic on related situations on the agenda, urge parties to immediately cease hostility, allow unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance, strengthen the safety and security of peacekeepers, and appeal to the international community for more support and help to relevant countries for combating COVID-19.

Against the pandemic, China, together with other Council members devised new working modalities for emergencies, enriched the Council’s working practices and improved its working mechanism. The Council members face with numerous difficulties to attend physical meetings in the UN according to the arrangement on combating the coronavirus by the UN and the New York City. Under the chairing of China and the concerted efforts of all Council members, the Council pioneered and recorded two breakthroughs for first time in history. It held VTC of the members for the first time. On 24 March, VTC meeting on the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC(MONUSCO) was held, and afterwards, new working practice and modalities were gradually formulated. The Council voted in written procedures for the first time. On 30 Mach, the Council members wrote to the Secretariat informing their voting positions on four Council Resolutions, which were announced by the President through VTC meeting. It created history in the work of the Council.

Knowing that the Security Council acts on behalf of all UN member states, China upheld impartiality, transparency, efficiency and a practical approach during its Presidency of the Council. On February, I, as the upcoming President of the Security Council of March, made particular efforts to facilitate communication and coordination with President of the General Assembly, President of the Economic and Social Council and Secretary-General to create greater synergy. I also met many SRSGs and SESGs to get their perspectives and recommendations. Early this month, being committed to openness, transparency and inclusiveness, I gave briefings to member states and the media and answered their questions, and had an interactive dialogue with the civil society. Before Council discussions on relevant issues, I met with permanent representatives of the countries concerned, listening to their concerns. China also formulated and circulated working guidelines for the work of the Council in March to make briefings more focused and updated and ask participants and speakers to be on time and observe time limits.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made the work of the Council more challenging. Live broadcast and participation of member states became extremely difficult. China did everything possible to maintain transparency and openness of information. As President of the Council, I attended a joint briefing with President of the General Assembly Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, President of the Economic and Social Council Mona Juul and Secretary-General António Guterres to inform the member states of the response and work by principal organs of the United Nations in facing COVID-19. I answered in detail the questions of common concern, such as the impact of the pandemic on the work of the Security Council, new working modalities of the Council, participation of member states and the impact on peacekeeping operations. Through such communication, we shared information and sought understanding from the member states. VTC meetings could not be included in the program of work of the Security Council for the moment, as their legal status is yet to be clarified. However, China has forecast the meeting schedule through its official website and twitter account and encouraged the Council to issue brief press elements after VTC meetings, trying all means to update the public on the work of the Council. I am pleased to see that the new working modalities have continued to improve, and countries directly concerned have been able to attend and address the VTC meetings. I am convinced that this working modalities will become more mature, and it is my hope that there will be fewer emergency situations like this.

The outbreak of COVID-19 is most unfortunate. What is fortunate is that the UN-centered multilateral system is stronger than ever before. People have never been so close together in this world of shared future. Facing this major test, China was not overwhelmed by the challenges. Instead, as the President of the Council, China has spared no effort to ensure the Council moves forward in delivering its mandate. We are proud of what we have done.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the United Nations. As Chinese President Xi Jinping points out, multilateralism is a sure choice that can best advance the interests of people of all countries. Having served as President of the Security Council at this difficult time, I believe that the best commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations would be reassuring the mission of the UN Charter and practicing multilateralism through hard work. China will, as always, uphold the international system with the UN at its core and the international order underpinned by international law and promote a global community with a shared future.

For the Security Council, the month of March is indeed a march: a march against strong headwind, a march in uncharted territories and a march without updated navigation. Under such extraordinary circumstances, solidarity and unity are as valuable as gold. With the joint efforts of all Council members, we have been able to fulfill the responsibilities of the Council and accomplished the most urgent parts of the work. I wish to express heartfelt appreciation and thanks to all Council members for the spirit of multilateralism and responsible attitude that have been demonstrated in the past month. I thank all member states of the United Nations for their understanding and support. We will continue to overcome the difficulties to maintain transparency as much as possible and ensure appropriate participation of member states. My gratitude also goes to Secretary-General Guterres and the Secretariat. Without their valuable support, the Council would not have been able to come this far. I also wish to thank the media and civil society for their support and attention to the work of the Security Council and China’s Presidency.

Let’s move forward together!

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