- Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Yan Yuqing
By Anthony Nwachukwu
Diplomats and scholars at the 80th anniversary of China’s victory in the war of resistance against Japanese aggression and World War 11 have called for reform and further democratisation of the United Nations Security Council to admit more permanent members.
The speakers at the event in Lagos included the Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Yan Yuqing, Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, and Chairman of NIIA, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, among others.
Speaking on the theme, “80th Anniversary of the Anti-Fascist War: The United Nations and the Search for a New Global Governance,” they also stressed the need for unity and cooperation in advancing global peace and security.
According to Yuqing, the victory of the world anti-fascist war and WW 11 was the foundation a new international order centered around the UN Charter and catalysed the rise of the emerging and newly independent nations, including Nigeria.
Noting that China and Africa, especially Nigeria, made a huge sacrifice in the war, including the countless lives and economic fortunes lost, Yuqing urged the international community to oppose and condemn “any attempt to deny historical aggression or whitewash war crimes.”
“The world needs international order and that is why we think that the biggest and most important result after the Second World War is the founding of the UN,” she stated.
“People from all over the world came together to resolve some conflicts and war, so that we can have a common development.”
However, she noted that as is evident, the world – as in the Middle East or some other areas – is not peaceful, with many people still facing death and poverty, among others.
“So, we support multilateralism. And China and Nigeria are also very important members of Global South, so I think that we can, together, contribute peace and justice of the world.”
Also speaking, Prof. Osaghae noted the historical marginalisation of the Global South in governance. Stating the need for reform of the UN system to ensure more equitable participation and representation, he disclosed that there were only four African founding nation-members of the UN.
According to him, the current 54 African countries in the UN and the 47 Asian countries are already more than half of the global body. However, wondering if the UN is able to meet these countries’ expectations, Osaghae said the international community should rethink what to do with the UN.
“One way to do that is to see if we can further democratise the UN, knowing that its resilience and importance, especially for the strategic interests of the Global South, will revolve around a world in which there is equality for our countries.”
Osaghae added that at 80, the UN is now finalising its pact for the future, which is the need for greater inclusivity, equitability, cooperation and consensus on all of these issues.
For the Director of Studies at NIIA, Prof. Efem Ubi, there is a lot of power tussles, even within the UN, and that is why China and Nigeria is asking for a reform of the UN Security Council.
“It should be democratized,” he stated. “Five people cannot sit down there and actually determine how things should be run globally. So, we are asking for the democratisation of the United Nations and the belief in multilateralism.
“It is only in concerted efforts and collectivity that we can resolve the problems of the world. There should be equality and parity in the international system. Those are the only ways we can guarantee peace and also sustain security.”
