Press Conference by Security Council President for February
China’s presidency of the Security Council during the “very busy” month of February was guided by the principles of objectivity, impartiality, efficiency and transparency, the country’s Permanent Representative said at a Headquarters briefing this afternoon.
“By and large, the Council’s work has been accomplished in a smooth way,” Ambassador Liu Jieyi told correspondents, through 20 public meetings and 15 informal consultations to consider more than 20 agenda items. Seven resolutions and two presidential statements were adopted and 14 press statements were issued.
The Council increased its communication with the General Assembly to enable an exchange of perspectives between the two bodies in order to organize the Council’s work in the larger context of the important events of the Organization. There was also an effort to reach out more to countries whose challenges were being addressed by the Council and to introduce innovations in the working methods to save time and promote efficiency.
Providing an example, he said Member States’ questions were “frontloaded” so that briefers could incorporate them in their presentations. On average, informal discussions on any one issue were completed in two hours. Members were encouraged to become more focused on analysing the situation and offering solutions, thereby ensuring that the Council used its time more efficiently.
Referring to the open debate on maintenance of international peace and security, on the theme of “Reflecting on history, reaffirming the strong commitment to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter”, Mr. Liu said the event drew the participation of the Secretary-General, eight Foreign Ministers, two Ministers of State and two regional organizations. The open debate was intended for Member States to send clear messages on upholding the Charter in letter and spirit in a dynamic way amid the evolving challenges to foster a “new type of international relations in a win-win situation”.
There was strong endorsement of the concept paper presented by China and the event served a very important purpose in the lead-up to the commemoration in September of the victory over fascism and the seventieth anniversary of the United Nations.
Turning to the specific issues addressed by the Council, Mr. Liu said the body provided strong support to the efforts of the Secretary-General’s envoy to advance the political process in Syria. The situation remained complicated and the Council had a long away to go.
On counter-terrorism, the Council adopted a resolution aimed at cutting off funding for terrorists, building on two earlier resolutions. He emphasized that the Council had also condemned the destruction of cultural heritage.
The situation in Yemen remained fluid, Mr. Liu said, and the Council sought to prevent its deterioration while also encouraging parties to pursue a political settlement. Three Council meetings were held on Yemen and two resolutions were adopted. In Libya, the Council endeavoured to promote political dialogue as well as fight terrorism.
On Ukraine, the Council threw its weight behind the package of measures to implement the Minsk accords through a resolution, and heard briefings from the ground by representatives from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Council members stressed the importance of ending violence in an earnest attempt to reach a comprehensive agreement on a transitional government in South Sudan. Through its resolution on Guinea-Bissau, the Council established a new mandate to help political dialogue, national reconciliation and mobilize international assistance.
To a question on Libya, he said the international community must support a political process and help that country fight terrorism on the ground. There was an arms embargo in place and it was important to find an appropriate way to help Libya to defeat terrorism.
Responding to a question on limiting the use of the veto where mass atrocities were concerned, Mr. Liu said that specific issue had not come up for discussion. More important was the fact that all Member States carried the important responsibility of upholding their commitment to the Charter. The membership of the Council should be expanded to make it more representative of developing countries, based on the broader reforms being discussed. As that concerned the common interest of all Member States and the long-term interest of the Organization, it must be approached carefully and democratically by all members of the General Assembly. No timeline should be imposed.
To a question on the international community’s role in the preservation of cultural heritage, Mr. Liu said there was no ambiguity on the matter, as the recent Council resolution demonstrated. What further action the Council or other United Nations bodies might take was for the Member States to decide.
Responding to another question, Mr. Liu said it was the common wish of the Council to see fewer problems and greater success in moving opposing parties closer to negotiations and faithful implementation of agreements reached. The Council, as part of the United Nations system, should work more closely with other parts of the system so that its decisions would enjoy greater support and understanding.
To a question on South Sudan, he said there was no logic to contemplating sanctions when the two major parties were in the process of serious negotiations. Asked why the Council had failed to adopt certain resolutions, he said the body had specific procedures to follow and he could not comment on its internal workings.
To another question, he said it was important to formulate a good post-2015 development agenda and take an integrated approach to problems related to peace and security.