Editor's Note: This year marks the 70th anniversary of PRC's founding. In the past seven decades, China has been actively advocating multilateralism and globalization. China's contribution to the UN has progressively evolved. Hans d'Orville, former UNESCO assistant director-general for strategic planning, shared his views on China's UN role with CGTN. The views expressed in the video do not necessarily reflect those of CGTN.

CGTN: What are the challenges the UN is facing?

Hans d'Orville: You have a new target date, which is 2030 for the new global development agenda and the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals. Can the United Nations support and work with all member states so that the 17 Sustainable Development Goals can be realized and thereby social and economic prosperity be promoted in the countries?

The second challenge is how effective can the United Nations be in maintaining peace, which is one of the major objectives of the Charter of the United Nations.

CGTN: How would you evaluate China's role in the UN?

Hans d'Orville: China's contribution to the United Nations has progressively evolved, and in the past few years, what was particularly important of course is that China has become one of the major contributors to the UN budget, and thereby has a particular responsibility also to maintain and to promote the activities of the United Nations.

A few years ago, China, for the first time, participated in peacekeeping operations, which was another new element. So again, a progressive integration into the United Nations.

The third one is that progressively, China is hosting international conferences. I think if one goes back, one of the first important conferences was the International Women's Conference (1995). And from then on, the integration of China has become very important. 

Of course, China, as a permanent member of the Security Council of the United Nations, has a particular responsibility.

It has a veto power, like four others of the five members. So this is an important role, which China is playing.

China is also increasingly represented in important positions in the United Nations. The undersecretary-general for economic and social affairs for quite a number of years has been occupied by a senior Chinese personality.

But also when you go to the UN specialized agencies, you have now Chinese directors-general of three agencies, most recently of the Food and Agricultural Organization in Rome, which has elected a Chinese director general.

You have a Chinese director-general of the ITU (International Telecommunications Union) and of UNIDO (the Industrial Development Organization). At UNESCO, the number two position is currently held also by a Chinese national.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com)