UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Unity and cooperation should remain at the core of the Security Council's working methods, a Chinese envoy said on Wednesday.
As the core of the global collective security mechanism, the Security Council's ability to effectively discharge its duties bears on the authority and credibility of the United Nations and the prospects for international peace and security. Its working methods, as an important safeguard for the council in fulfilling its mandate, are by no means merely a technical matter. They should be continuously improved and refined from the broader perspective of maintaining international peace and security, said Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations.
"Unity and cooperation are the source of vitality for multilateral mechanisms and should always remain at the core of the Security Council's working methods," he told a Security Council open debate on the council's working methods. "Whether on substantive issues or procedural matters, council members should respect one another, engage in full consultation, properly manage differences, and make every effort to seek consensus."
Rushing draft resolutions to a vote when substantial differences remain among council members not only exacerbates divisions, but also undermines the political weight and effectiveness of resolutions, he said.
The effectiveness of council meetings, outcomes, and tools such as sanctions and peacekeeping should be measured by whether they are grounded in reality and can constructively advance the political settlement of hot-spot issues, said Fu.
He called on council members to seek peaceful solutions to disputes, fully respect the sovereignty and ownership of the countries concerned, and exercise caution in using coercive measures, such as sanctions and force.
"Sanctions regimes that fail to achieve their intended objectives should be promptly reviewed and adjusted, and those that have become obsolete should be lifted in a timely manner," he said.
The Security Council should adjust its deliberation cycles in a timely manner in light of changing circumstances, make appropriate arrangements for discussions on broad thematic issues, and minimize meetings with overlapping content to the greatest extent possible, said Fu. "We should make flexible use of different meeting formats, appropriately increase informal consultations, and promote candid and efficient communication among Council members. We should improve our drafting style and make outcome documents more concise and clear."
The Security Council bears the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, and its status and role are irreplaceable, he said, adding that a united and strong Security Council serves the needs of world peace and stability and meets the common interests of the broader UN membership.
"We call on all countries to actively support the work of the Security Council, faithfully implement its resolutions, and jointly uphold its authority. We should oppose illegal unilateral actions that circumvent the Security Council and undermine the authority of the United Nations. Permanent members should play a leading role in this regard, uphold fairness and justice, and truly demonstrate the responsibility of major powers," said Fu.
As a permanent member of the Security Council and a responsible major country, China has always participated constructively in the work of the council. China stands ready to continue working with all parties to uphold multilateralism, strengthen unity and cooperation, and jointly support the council in improving its working methods and enhancing its capacity to fulfill its mandate, so as to play a greater role in building a world of lasting peace and common security, he said. ■
