--Joint Statement to be delivered under Item 2 General Debate at the 48th session of the Human Rights Council

Madam President,

I have the honor to speak on behalf of a group of countries. Peace and security is the basic prerequisite for the promotion and protection of human rights.Without peace and security, all human rights, including the right to development, cannot be realized.Wars, conflicts and regional turmoil are the main causes of large-scale human rights violations. At present, international peace and security faces serious challenges like never before. Traditional and non-traditional security challenges are intertwined, and the realization of universal security remains a long and arduous task, making a serious impact on the universal enjoyment of human rights.

To achieve lasting peace and promote and protect human rights, all States should abide by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, embrace the concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and jointly build a community with a shared future for human beings. First, we should practice true multilateralism, firmly uphold the UN-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law. We should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, refrain from imposing one's will on others and work to build a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation.Second, differences should be bridged through dialogue and consultations, and conflicts should be resolved through political negotiations. The use or threat of force should be rejected, still less should military intervention under the pretext of democracy and human rights be allowed.Third, we should persist in promoting sustainable development so as to achieve peace through development.Efforts should be made to effectively implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development based on conditions of countries, strengthen development cooperation and narrow the north-south gap so that people of all countries can share development opportunities and benefits, laying a solid foundation for peace.Fourth, we should respect the diversity of civilizations, promote dialogue among them, promote their harmonious coexistence and make them develop together through exchange and mutual learning. This will serve as a bond for maintaining world peace and a driving force for human progress. Fifth, we should address both traditional and non-traditional security threats in a coordinated manner.We should pay more attention to non-traditional security threats, including public health, terrorism and climate change, take a holistic approach, and address both the crisis and its root causes.We call on all countries to join hands to safeguard world peace and security and work together for the full enjoyment of human rights for all in a world of lasting peace and universal security.

Thank you, Madam President.

China, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Comoros, Congo, Cuba, Djibouti, DPRK, Egypt, Gambia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lao PDR, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Somalia, Sri Lanka, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, UAE, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Yemen, Zimbabwe