Wang wants bigger role for smaller nations in UN Security Council

The United Nations Security Council should not be the club of big and rich countries, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday, calling for a due role of developing countries and small and medium-sized nations in it.

Wang made the remarks when meeting with co-chairs of the intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform in Beijing. They are Lana Nusseibeh, permanent representative of the United Arab Emirates to the UN, and Joanna Wronecka, permanent representative of Poland to the UN.

Noting that all countries, whether big or small, are equal members of the international community, Wang said the reform of UN Security Council should include broader representation of developing countries and small and medium-sized ones.

Letting these nations play a due role in the process of Security Council conforms to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, follows the trend of promoting democracy in international relations and is also the right direction of global governance system reform, Wang said.

As this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the UN, Wang called for efforts to take opportunity of the anniversary to review its original aspiration and mission.

Wang said the Security Council reform should be committed to enhancing its authority and efficacy so that it can truly shoulder the primary responsibility of safeguarding international peace and security.

The reform should also be carried out on the basis of broad democratic consultations, gradually accumulate consensuses, be led by member states and move forward in the right direction, he added.

The co-chairs expressed appreciation for China's efforts in upholding multilateralism and strengthening the UN's role.

Noting that China has made remarkable achievements in economic development and poverty alleviation which contributed to world stability and development, they hoped China will continue to play a constructive role in defending the UN systems.

They said the Security Council reform, which is complicated and sensitive, should continue to be led by member states and seek for broader consensuses.

They are willing to strengthen communication and coordination with all member states including China to push forward the reform process in a fair, transparent and inclusive way, they added.