Mr. President,

I thank Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari for his briefing.

Yesterday, at the request of Albania and some other members, the Council held an emergency meeting to consider the civilian casualties resulting from the conflict in Ukraine. Today at the request of the Russian Federation, we are back in this chamber for another emergency meeting of the Council to consider the civilian casualties resulting from the crisis in Ukraine. This dense flurry of deliberations by the Council of the grievous attacks and civilian casualties when we are so close to the end of the year leaves us sad and distressed. We are deeply concerned by the long drawn-out Ukraine crisis that is not over yet And by the undefeated raging flames of war that continue to cause untold devastation at a time when the new year is just around the corner.

There are no winners in any conflict or war. Conflict and the war cause nothing but profound suffering to innocent people and tremendous damage to regional peace and stability and will only exacerbate the existing difficulties for global economic development, especially for developing countries in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We renew our appeal to the parties concerned to respond positively to the international community’s call for peace, enhance engagement, expand their common ground, and put an early end to the hostilities. We also renew our appeal to all stakeholders to step up diplomatic mediation with a greater sense of urgency and work together to create enabling conditions for an early political settlement of the crisis.

China will continue to stand on the side of peace and on the side of dialogue and is committed to encouraging and facilitating peace talks and contributing positively to a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis.

I thank you, Mr. President.