Mr. President,

Mr. Secretary-General,

Excellencies,

It is my honor to speak on behalf of the Asia-Pacific Group (APG).

Today is the Charter day, a golden opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the Charter, the United Nations and multilateralism.

75 years ago, 50 member states gathered in San Francisco and signed the Charter, ushered in a brand new chapter in human history. Since then, the Charter has been the universally accepted international instrument. It is a cornerstone of the rule of law and multilateralism. It established the basic norms governing international relations. It developed widely recognized principles of international law.

The principles of sovereign equality, peaceful resolution of international disputes, respect for territorial integrity and political independence, non-interference in the internal affairs, as well as equal rights and self-determination of peoples, have taken deep root in our hearts and minds, and have contributed significantly to achieving the purposes of the United Nations, promoting world peace, development and human rights.

Mr. President,

We, Member States of Asia Pacific Group, are beneficiaries of the Charter. With a functioning UN and the multilateral system based on the Charter, the Asia Pacific region has enjoyed the benefit of peace and security, created a conducive environment for development, and as a result the region has turned itself into an engine of global economy.

We are contributors of the Charter. We firmly adhere to the four purposes and seven principles, fulfill in good faith the obligations we assumed, abide by international law anchored on the Charter. The ten principles of Bandung, agreed at the Afro-Asian Conference in 1955, further developed and enriched the Charter spirit.

We are defenders of the Charter. The COVID-19 pandemic further demonstrates the importance of multilateralism. We should remain committed to intensifying international solidarity and cooperation, supporting the UN at the core of international system.

Mr. President,

COVID-19 once again reminds us that we are closely interconnected and we are only as strong as the weakest. What the world needs now is solidarity and cooperation. Only with that, can we defeat the virus and build back better. In the spirit of the world as one community, let us join hands and work tirelessly for the future we want, the Untied Nations we need.