Photo courtesy of Anadolu
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met UN secretary-general candidate Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett in Beijing on Monday and reaffirmed China’s support for the organization despite its shortcomings.
Wang said the United Nations remained essential to global stability, peace and development as countries confronted mounting international challenges.
He said the next secretary-general would be expected to guide the organization through political divisions and other difficulties affecting multilateral cooperation.
China would continue supporting the principles of the UN Charter and participate responsibly in the selection of the organization’s next leader, Wang added.
Rodrigues-Birkett stressed that multilateralism remained necessary regardless of changes in the international environment.
She also called for reforms to make the UN more responsive and efficient while preserving fairness, justice and sustainable development.
The election of the UN’s 10th secretary-general is expected later this year, although a date has yet to be announced.
The successful candidate will begin a five-year term on Jan. 1. No woman has served as UN secretary-general since the organization was founded in 1945.
