UNITED NATIONS, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ma Zhaoxu said Wednesday that conflict prevention requires greater emphasis on the role of mediation.
At a Security Council meeting on conflict prevention and mediation, Ma said mediation is one of the tools for the peaceful settlement of disputes, and an important means for the United Nations to carry out conflict prevention.
In this regard, he stressed the need to formulate and implement work programs for mediation in a targeted manner, make full use of the unique influence of the UN secretary-general and the professional strengths of the UN Secretariat, and actively mediate disputes through the special representatives or special envoys of the secretary-general.
Besides mediation, Ma said, conflict prevention entails closer coordination and greater synergy.
The United Nations, as the most universal, representative and authoritative inter-governmental international organization, should play a central role in conflict prevention, he noted.
"All departments of the secretariat must observe their respective mandates and work in a spirit of collaboration," Ma said.
Regional and subregional organizations have unique advantages in dealing with issues of their own regions and should be further supported in exercising their irreplaceable role in the prevention of regional conflicts, he added.
Meanwhile, the envoy underscored that conflict prevention must adhere to the purposes and principles of the UN charter.
"All countries should abide by the basic norms governing international relations, such as mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, non-aggression, and peaceful settlement of disputes," he said.
It is imperative to fully respect the will of the countries concerned, persist in carrying out conflict prevention under their leadership, and provide constructive assistance to them to advance their political process and achieve national reconciliation, Ma added.
