摘要：2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter on June 26, 1945 and its entry into force on October

By Alfred de Zayas

2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter on June 26, 1945 and its entry into force on October 24, 1945. The Charter is akin to a world constitution, standing at the heart of the rules-based order shared by the global community. If there were no UN, it would be imperative to create one, maybe with a different name, but with the same fundamental vocation to promote peace, protect human rights and advance the economic development of all humans on the planet.

Since its foundation, a series of norms and monitoring mechanisms have been agreed upon, and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court have been established to provide adjudication of disputes and facilitate recourse and remedy for victims. Unfortunately, it's often observed that the Security Council and General Assembly Resolutions are not fully respected in practice, and ICJ Judgments, Advisory Opinions and Orders are not always consistently implemented.

After 80 years of operations in all fields of human activity, the UN urgently needs reform to better serve humanity and reflect today's realities. The UN, its principal agencies and associated institutions must be made more representative of the world today and more responsive to natural disasters and pandemics. In particular, the UN Security Council should be expanded from 15 to 25 members, so as to give greater voice to countries from the Global South such as Brazil, India, Indonesia, Türkiye and South Africa.

Alas, 2025 is not a year of celebration, but a year of realization that the hopes of humanity to be spared the scourge of war have almost been dashed. Notwithstanding the erga omnes obligation to prevent conflict and to settle disputes through diplomacy, and despite the treaty obligations laid down in the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide approved in 1948, the Israeli government, with the complicity of the "collective West" is perpetrating "genocide" on the Palestine people, as laid out in the Final Report of the UN Independent Commission of Inquiry headed by former High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay.

The first priority of the 80th Session of UNGA should be to stop this humanitarian crisis and ensure immediate assistance to the victims. Indeed, the UN bears responsibility for coordinating and delivering international humanitarian assistance through its specialized agencies. China actively participates in these efforts and has become one of their major financial contributors.

As a founding member of the UN, China has long served as a key pillar of the multilateral system. We remember P.C. Chang's significant contribution to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as the then vice-chair of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and an important member of the drafting committee.

China is also a key contributor to global humanitarian efforts and a supporter of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). In this spirit, Chinese President Xi Jinping highlighted, during a meeting with ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, that humanitarianism is the great consensus that can unite different civilizations.

ICRC Director General Pierre Krahenbuhl echoed this statement in an interview in 2024 – "When a country like China takes a position on that issue … we want every single country in the world to take this very seriously." Krahenbuhl noted that China was among the first signatories to the Geneva Conventions of 1949, which have been the cornerstone for upholding human dignity amid armed conflict.

During his mission to China, Krahenbuhl met with several Chinese government officials and attended a series of events including one to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the Red Cross Society of China. He emphasized the organization's vital national role in responding to natural disasters, strengthening first-aid capabilities and promoting blood donations.

Beyond its domestic efforts, the Red Cross Society of China has also contributed to international humanitarian initiatives such as supporting the ICRC operations in Afghanistan and Ukraine. Krahenbuhl further shed light on China's efforts in academic aspect as he pointed out, "China has invested a lot of energy and attention in developing its international academy that focuses strongly on the humanitarian principles and international humanitarian law."

Such a commitment underscores China's growing engagement and influence in global humanitarian affairs, especially at a moment when the closure of U.S. Agency for International Development programs by the United States has constrained international aid efforts worldwide.

China has taken up the challenge of mitigating the $54 billion aid shortfall and has provided immediate aid to many countries, including Myanmar in the aftermath of a magnitude-7.7 quake in March 2025. China also has considerable experience in this field, since foreign aid and investments via the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) have been beneficial to developing nations across Africa, Asia and South America.

As Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on September 26 before the UNGA, "Peace and development are the aspirations of the peoples of all countries … solidarity and cooperation are the most powerful drivers for human progress … When might determines right … the weak are left as prey to the strong … As members of the global family … we must work for fairness and justice … practice true multilateralism."

Eighty years on from the founding of the UN, China stands out as a nation turning the letter and spirit of the UN Charter into action – not just words.

Alfred de Zayas, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, teaches international law at the Geneva School of Diplomacy and was a United Nations Independent Expert on International Order 2012-18. He has authored 12 books, including "Building a Just World Order" and "The Human Rights Industry" (Clarity Press).

来源：中国网一点号