UN reform

An important advocate for UN reform, China is at the forefront of the push to increase representation of developing countries, believing this should be given priority. With developing countries accounting for more than two thirds of the UN membership, they are grossly under-represented in the Security

in September this year, China vowed to support UN reform, especially reforms to the Security Council so as to increase the voice of developing countries in international affairs.

“The reform should be an all-round process for balanced progress on security, development and human rights. In particular, positive results should be achieved in development, as it concerns the vital interests of developing countries,” the paper said.

During the more than 70 years since the UN was established, the number of its members has grown dramatically from 51 in 1945 to 193 today. Most of the increased membership is developing countries, including 54 from Africa.

“While the UN Security Council [is] reviewing issues related to developing countries, we should have developing countries, especially those from Africa, play bigger roles in the Security Council,” said Wu Haitao, Deputy Representative of China to the United Nations in the UN Headquarters in New York in May.

According to Wu, UN reform should facilitate more countries, especially small and medium-sized countries, to enter the Security Council in turn. Comments to niyanshuo@chinafrica.cn