President,

Thank you for convening this meeting.

I congratulate Ambassador Tareq M. A. M. Albanai of Kuwait and Ambassador Lise Gregoire-van Haaren of the Netherlands on continuing to serve as co-chairs of the IGN on Security Council reform during this GA session, which reflects member states’ trust in and recognition of the two co-chairs. China is ready to continue good communication and cooperation with the co-chairs and will fully support them in performing their duties impartially and objectively in accordance with the mandate given by the GA, and in ensuring that the IGN advances on the right track.

The world today is undergoing turbulence and transformation. Geopolitical conflicts persist and escalate, and crises and challenges emerge one after another. Member states generally expect the UN to play a greater role and eagerly expect the Security Council to shoulder its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. China understands member states’ aspiration to promote reform and supports the Security Council in keeping up with the times and enhancing its authority and efficiency through necessary and reasonable reform, so as to better respond to crises and challenges and effectively fulfil the duties entrusted to it by the UN Charter. China wishes to stress the following points.

First, we must focus on enhancing the representation and voice of developing countries. The Security Council, as the core of the collective security mechanism, must reflect the realities of international politics and give more developing countries and small and medium-sized countries with independent foreign policies the opportunity to take part in Security Council decision-making. In particular, we must redress the historical injustice suffered by Africa and make priority and special arrangements for Africa’s demands. The ultimate goal is to change the situation in which the composition of the Security Council is imbalanced between the North and the South, a single bloc has long dominated, and developed countries are over-represented.

Second, we must respect the consensus of member states and adhere to one package solution. Security Council reform is a systemic project, and all five clusters of issues are indispensable; it must therefore be addressed through a package solution. Before the parties reach clear consensus, any attempt to hastily adopt a “consolidated model,” push for the launch of text-based negotiations, or even impose artificial timelines and take a “step-by-step” or “piecemeal” approach will only aggravate differences and disputes among the parties, which is not conducive to the long-term development of the UN and the common interests of member states.

Third, we must uphold the status of the IGN as the main channel. The IGN is the only legitimate platform for member states to discuss Security Council reform, and its role is irreplaceable. China supports all parties in continuing dialogue and consultation on this platform to build consensus, and firmly opposes any attempt to launch an alternative platform. China also notes that an increasing number of member states have expressed interest, in the IGN, in establishing regional rotating seats. Compared with proposals to expand both categories of seats, this concept is fairer and more democratic. China hopes that this IGN will continue to hold in-depth discussions on new reform ideas, pool wisdom, and actively explore reform ideas that enjoy general support among member states.

During this IGN, China stands ready to continue its joint efforts with all parties, respect each other, and engage in candid exchanges and equal-footed consultations, to ensure that Security Council reform moves in a direction conducive to the common interests of member states and the sound development of the UN’s cause, and to make positive contributions to building a more just and equitable global governance system.

Thank you, President.