Ban Ki-moon: China will play a greater role in the United Nations

China will play a greater role in the United Nations (international forum)

On October 25, 1971, the Twenty-sixth Session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758, which decided to restore all the rights of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations. As the world's most universal international organization, the further development of the United Nations ushered in an important opportunity.

I had just joined the Roksok Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the time of this important historic event. I was impressed by this world-renowned major news. During my 10 years as Secretary-General of the United Nations, I have conducted many exchanges and consultations with China and have a profound understanding of China's important role in the international community.

Solidarity, partnership and cooperation are important factors in promoting the development of human society, and the United Nations was established precisely to promote solidarity and cooperation. Since its establishment in 1945, the United Nations has become the most important international organization in the world today, guided by the values of peace, development and the importance of human rights for all mankind. It is particularly crucial to adhere to the original intention of the founding of the United Nations, to meet global challenges, and to strengthen multilateral cooperation. China has always firmly supported and practiced multilateralism and actively carried out multilateral cooperation, which echoes the spirit of the UN Charter and is of great significance to the settlement of global problems.

China's economic and social development has made important contributions to the realization of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. China's new development concept of innovation, coordination, green, openness and sharing is in line with the five tenets of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – "People, the Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership".

China's achievements in the field of poverty reduction have played an important exemplary role in the global poverty reduction cause. One of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals is to halve the proportion of people living in extreme poverty globally by 2015 from 1990 levels. Since the reform and opening up, hundreds of millions of people in China have been lifted out of poverty, which has played an important role in the United Nations achieving the goal five years ahead of schedule. China's completion of the task of poverty alleviation in the new era on schedule is not only a historic achievement for China, but also a milestone event in achieving the goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

In order to enhance the well-being of all mankind, while making important development achievements in itself, China has actively promoted South-South cooperation by adhering to the global governance concept of consultation, co-construction and sharing. China and the vast number of developing countries are watching out for each other and working hand in hand, and through further expanding foreign aid and development cooperation, China has increased its support for other developing countries in many fields such as poverty reduction, education and health. The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation is a model of South-South cooperation. Under this framework, China has contributed a lot to African countries in implementing the UNITED Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. As a facilitator of the agenda, I very much recognize and appreciate the role played by China.

Climate change is an important challenge facing mankind and the planet, requiring the international community to act together to build a sustainable future. In recent years, China has demonstrated to the international community its will to take the road of low-carbon sustainable development and build a resource-saving and environment-friendly society, and the concept of "green water and green mountains are golden mountains and silver mountains" is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. China has actively participated in multilateral cooperation on climate governance and played an important and constructive role in addressing climate change.

China is making efforts to meet the common challenges facing the international community, which deserves high praise. The fight against the new crown pneumonia epidemic has enlightened us that human honor and disgrace are linked to each other and destiny, unity and cooperation are the best way to overcome difficulties, and China's role and contribution are obvious to all.

In the 50 years since the People's Republic of China restored its legitimate seat in the United Nations, it has always adhered to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. As a founding member of the United Nations and a permanent member of the Security Council, China has made important contributions in various fields, including maintaining world peace and stability and promoting global development. In the future, China will play a greater role in the United Nations, and I am full of confidence in this. (Ban Ki-moon is written by former Secretary-General of the United Nations)

Source: People's Daily