African United Nations (UN) members on Monday demanded two permanent seats on the Security Council and the abolition of the veto, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres backing the call as the council met to discuss enhancing Africa's effective representation and other reforms.
The council, currently chaired by Sierra Leone, held a special high-level meeting to address the need to rectify its current structure and tackle Africa's historical marginalization.
During the meeting, Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio urged the Security Council to ensure that Africa's voice is heard, emphasizing that the continent can no longer wait for these reforms.
"Africa demands two permanent seats in the UN Security Council and two additional non-permanent seats, bringing the total number of non-permanent seats to five. The African Union will choose the African permanent members. Africa wants the veto abolished. However, if UN member states wish to retain the veto, it must be extended to all new permanent members as a matter of justice," said Bio in the meeting.
Guterres, the UN chief, noted that the Security Council has been a bedrock of global peace and security since 1945, but the cracks in its foundation are increasingly widening. He voiced his support for the call to enhance Africa's effective representation in the Security Council to ensure its credibility and legitimacy.
"We cannot accept that the world's preeminent peace and security body lacks a permanent voice for a continent of over a billion people -- a young and rapidly growing population -- making up 28 percent of the membership of the United Nations. Nor can we accept that Africa's views are undervalued on questions of peace and security, both on the continent and around the world," said Guterres.
African nations demand two permanent seats on Security Council, calling for abolition of veto
Festive receptions were held by Chinese embassies to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival, with the promotional video for the 2025 China Media Group (CMG) Spring Festival Gala unveiled to add festive atmosphere to the events.
The Spring Festival centers around the Chinese New Year, which lands on Jan. 29 this year, ushering in the Year of the Snake.
The Chinese Embassy in Tajikistan hosted a Spring Festival reception on Jan. 20 for overseas Chinese in Tajikistan. Nearly 300 people, including representatives of overseas Chinese groups such as the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Tajikistan, the Federation of Overseas Chinese, teachers and students from the local Confucius Institute, and international students in Tajikistan, gathered to celebrate the coming of the Year of the Snake.
In his speech delivered at the reception, China's Ambassador to Tajikistan Ji Shumin said that China's high-quality development and high-level opening-up have injected certainty and stability into a turbulent and changing world. China-Tajikistan cooperation in various fields has been promoted across the board, and the development of bilateral relations has reached a new level. Looking forward to 2025, China-Tajikistan relations will shine with new vitality and bring more benefits to the people of both countries, said the ambassador.
The promotional video for the 2025 CMG Spring Festival Gala was played in a loop at the reception. By watching the video, guests felt the festive atmosphere of the Spring Festival and the unique charm of Chinese traditional culture.
At the reception, overseas Chinese in Tajikistan performed a variety of cultural programs created by themselves. The joyous lion dance, the melodious guzheng performance, and the passionate Tajik eagle dance added a great deal to the festive atmosphere.
The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, the Federation of Philippine-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Federation of Philippine-Chinese Associations, and the Philippine-Chinese Chamber of Commerce jointly held a Spring Festival reception on Jan. 19. More than 1,000 people from the Philippine government, Congress, overseas Chinese, people from all walks of life, and foreign diplomatic envoys to the Philippines gathered to celebrate the festival.
Huang Xilian, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines, extended New Year greetings to people from all walks of life in China and the Philippines, saying that the Spring Festival is a common festival for the people of many countries, including China and the Philippines, and has been listed as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO. He said that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines, and he hopes that both countries will cherish and maintain the bilateral relations for greater benefits to the people of the two countries.
Philippine Vice President Sara Z. Duterte and Louise Araneta-Marcos, wife of Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., extended new year greetings via video link. Duterte said that the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China is of great significance, and she looks forward to the two countries working together to create a harmonious and prosperous future. Marcos said that the Philippines-China relations have been developing continuously for decades, which truly reflects the long-term friendly relations between the people of the two countries.
The promotional video for the 2025 CMG Spring Festival Gala was played at the reception. The festive atmosphere and gorgeous stage design attracted the attention of all the guests present.
Chinese embassies hold receptions to celebrate upcoming Spring Festival