President, 

I thank you for convening today’s important meeting. I thank Under-Secretary-General Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General Gilles Michaud, and Ms. Elyse Nicole Mosquini for their insightful briefings.

At present, the world is beset by conflicts and unrest. Tensions are high in the Middle East, Lebanon, Sudan, and the DRC, among others. Countless civilians are shrouded in the shadows of war, displacement, and disaster. In the face of human suffering, the light of humanitarianism has never dimmed. Humanitarian workers have built lifelines in conflict zones, while the UN and peacekeeping personnel have spared no effort to protect the civilians, sometimes even devoting their lives.

It is deeply distressing that humanitarian workers and UN personnel have repeatedly come under attack in conflicts. We pay high tribute to all humanitarian workers and UN personnel who remain steadfast on the front lines, and we extend our deepest condolences for those who have lost their lives. Those who safeguard lives should not themselves be placed in danger. The international community must unite and take strong actions to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers and UN personnel. I will make four points. 

First, we must eliminate conflicts and violence to build a solid foundation for security. As long as conflicts persist, the dangers faced by humanitarian workers will continue, and tragedies involving attacks on them cannot be fundamentally eliminated. The Security Council must fulfill its primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security by promoting dialogue, facilitating negotiations, and advancing ceasefires. All parties to the conflict should stay committed to the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security, resolve disputes peacefully, and replace confrontation with dialogue, so as to build lasting peace. 

Second, the international rule of law must be upheld, and humanitarian actions must be safeguarded. Humanitarian workers and UN personnel must not be targets of military operations. Humanitarian assistance must not be deliberately weaponized. These are widely recognized basic principles of international humanitarian law, and must not be challenged. Compliance with international humanitarian law is an obligation for all parties. It is not optional. Any double standards or selective application will erode the foundation of the international rule of law and encourage further violations. All violations of international humanitarian law must be strictly punished and must not be tolerated or condoned. 

Third, smearing and suppression must be stopped, and the UN’s role must be respected. For some time, the UN and its agencies have faced systematic smearing and attacks, seriously hindering their normal functioning and undermining their authority and role. The work of the UN should be respected and supported. The privileges and immunities of UN agencies and personnel must be guaranteed. UNRWA, mandated by the General Assembly, serves as a lifeline for Palestinian refugees. However, more than 390 of its staff have been killed in Gaza. Its operations in East Jerusalem have been forcefully shut down. Its facilities have been demolished. China firmly opposes these actions. Israel must fulfill its obligations under international law as the occupying power and cease its attacks and suppression of UNRWA. 

Fourth, we need to strengthen international support and improve protection mechanisms. China appreciates the efforts made by the Department of Safety and Security and others in protecting humanitarian workers and UN personnel, and supports enhanced international cooperation with the UN to improve protection systems. Field missions should accurately assess evolving risks, improve contingency plans, and better facilitate humanitarian operations. The China-UN Peace and Development Fund has supported multiple crisis management training programs conducted by the Department of Safety and Security, helping to enhance the Secretariat’s emergency response capabilities and better ensure personnel safety. 

President, 

China, together with Brazil, Jordan, Kazakhstan, South Africa, and others, launched a global initiative to galvanize political commitment for international humanitarian law with the ICRC, aiming to reinvigorate the international community’s firm commitment to international humanitarian law. Over 100 countries have already joined, and we call on more to do so in promoting compliance and implementation of international humanitarian law. China has always been a steadfast supporter and active contributor to international peace and humanitarian efforts. We stand ready to continue working with all parties to make unremitting efforts to protect the safety of humanitarian workers and UN personnel. 

Thank you, President.