UN Security Council votes to hold emergency meeting on Ukraine situation within 24 hoursFly into the homes of ordinary people
On February 27, local time, the United Nations Security Council held a special meeting to request the General Assembly to hold an emergency special session (Emergency Special Session) to vote on the situation in Ukraine.
This procedural vote requires only 9 votes in favor. The final vote was 11 in favour, 3 abstentions and 1 against. Since Russia objected not to have a veto, the 76th UN General Assembly will hold an emergency special session within 24 hours to discuss the situation in Ukraine, with China, India and the United Arab Emirates abstaining from voting.
After the vote, the Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations made an explanation of vote.
Zhang Jun said that at present, the situation in Ukraine is changing rapidly. China has clearly stated its position on the Ukraine issue many times, and this position has not changed.
Zhang Jun said that we believe that the top priority is for all parties to exercise necessary restraint to avoid further deterioration of the situation in Ukraine. China supports and encourages all diplomatic efforts conducive to a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis, and welcomes direct dialogue and negotiation between Russia and Ukraine as soon as possible. At the same time, China supports the EU and Russia to conduct equal dialogues on European security issues, uphold the concept of indivisibility of security, and ultimately form a balanced, effective and sustainable European security mechanism.
Zhang Jun said that China believes that the UN Security Council should focus on regional peace and stability and the general security of all parties, and play a constructive role in solving the Ukraine issue. Actions taken by the United Nations should help reduce tensions, facilitate diplomatic solutions, and avoid escalating conflicts.
According to regulations, once the Security Council adopts the agenda, the UN General Assembly must meet within 24 hours. There have been only 10 emergency special sessions in the history of the United Nations, the most recent one being held in 1997 due to the Israeli-Palestinian issue.
The United Nations adopted the “Unity for Peace” clause on November 3, 1950, stating that “if the Security Council, due to the lack of unanimous opinion among the permanent members, fails to fulfill its mission to maintain international peace and security in any situation that poses a threat to the peace and undermines the peace, primary responsibility, or an act of aggression, the General Assembly shall immediately consider the matter in order to make appropriate recommendations to Member States for collective measures”.
According to the regulations, any 9 member states of the Security Council or more than half of the member states of the UN General Assembly vote to hold such an emergency meeting.
