A Chinese International Relations expert has said countries from the global south including Africa and China must unite to ensure that UN reforms are implemented to strengthen their voices on the world stage.
“We must make sure we find a way to protect the interest of developing nations. In my view there is no way that the UN is going to be replaced. It is the most important platform for international engagement. Therefore, developing countries must find a way to make it more effective,” said Professor Xu Bu.
Professor Xu is a member of the United Nations Secretary-General’s High-Level Advisory Board on Effective Multilateralism. He is the author of Say No to Wars: Comments on American Identity and International Politics and American National Identity and Its Impact
Speaking to Zimbabwean media practitioners during a discussion in Beijing, Xu said there is no easy way to reform the UN and ensure fair representation for developing nations in a body built to project power by the Western countries.
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But he said it is important to do so as none of the other security initiatives can replace the UN at this point. He said China’s four global initiatives included the Global Security Initiative as well as the International Organisation for Mediation have been formed to work with and not replace the UN.
He said it is also clear that US president Donald Trump’s Body of Peace is not structured for fair inclusion of the global south countries bearing in mind that Palestinians have not been invited to the table to discuss their own future.
Professor Xu said China’s win-win strategy and focus on common prosperity such as the zero tariffs regime extended to BRI partner countries is a way of working together for more equitable development.
Citing how regional rivalries are blocking Brazil and India from getting permanent seats at the UN Security Council, Professor Xu said Global South countries must unite to ensure that their interests are mainstreamed on the international stage.
Zimbabwe is currently seeking a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
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