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UN chief sees Security Council open debate as timely, crucial event

Xinhua, February 24, 2015 Adjust font size:

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday thanked China for successfully convening an open debate of the Security Council on maintaining international peace and security, saying that this important event came in good time.

Ban made the remarks in a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who was at the UN headquarters to preside over the open debate.

The theme of the open debate, which opened Monday morning, is "Maintaining International Peace and Security: Reflect on History and Affirm Strong Commitment to the Purposes and Principles of the Charter of the United Nations."

Ban said that the open debate is both timely and important as this year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.

The world body fully supports the open debate and China's efforts to make it happen, Ban said, adding that he also thanked China for its support to the work of the United Nations.

For his part, the Chinese foreign minister thanked Ban's attendance at the debate.

During the meeting, Wang told the secretary-general that the Chinese initiative to convene such an open debate was extensively backed and well received by the international community.

Representatives from more than 80 countries, including a dozen of foreign ministers and vice foreign ministers, took the floor to affirm their strong commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

In today's world, which is being haunted by chaos and instability in some regions, all the speakers voiced their concern at how the United Nations, the Security Council in particular, can better play its role and carry out its responsibilities under the UN Charter.

The open debate sent a clear and unanimous signal to the international community that the strong commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be reaffirmed at a time when the world is poised to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, Wang said, adding that the debate ushers in a prelude to a series of activities to commemorate the UN birthday.

The secretary-general lauded China's important role in promoting international efforts to address climate change and advance sustainable development.

Ban said that he hopes to see China's continuous support and contribution to negotiations on the post-2015 global development agenda and its participation in the climate change conference in Paris late this year. Endi