Wang Yi applauds UN resolution on peacekeeping reform
CGTN
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The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) expressed on Wednesday its support for reforms to reduce inefficiencies, corruption and abuse in UN peacekeeping operations.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi cast an approval vote for China, saying peacekeeping missions should help foster a safe and stable environment in host countries.
"It is important that peacekeeping reform should help foster a safe and stable environment in host countries, that can facilitate sustainable development and the elimination of poverty and other root causes of conflict," Wang said.
China is the second-largest fund provider to UN peacekeeping operations and the biggest contributor of troops among the UNSC's five permanent members.
As CGTN’s Liling Tan reports, there’s growing pressure to make peacekeeping more efficient and relevant.
"First, we must recognize the ‘primacy of politics’ so that peace operations are deployed in support of active diplomatic efforts, not as a substitute," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres presented his annual report on the work of the organization ahead of the opening of the UN General Assembly’s seventy-second general debate. /UN Photo
UN Secretary-General António Guterres presented his annual report on the work of the organization ahead of the opening of the UN General Assembly’s seventy-second general debate. /UN Photo
With the new resolution adopted to fix UN peacekeeping operations, world leaders hoped to undertake reforms to mandate the UN missions' planning, the troops deployment and their specific tasks.
UN peacekeeping, which now numbers more than 110,000 personnel deployed across 16 missions, has long come under pressure for its inefficiencies, and multiple sex abuse scandals.
Chinese peacekeepers of UN Mali Mission take part in an exercise against emergency in Mali, October 20, 2014. /AFP Photo
Chinese peacekeepers of UN Mali Mission take part in an exercise against emergency in Mali, October 20, 2014. /AFP Photo
"Member States are now certifying, prior to deployment, that none of their personnel has a history of misconduct or human rights violations. The Secretariat also vets certain senior personnel," said Guterres.
This resolution comes after years' discussions over reforming the system.