At the United Nations General Assembly’s Third Committee, China, along with 27 other countries including Russia, Egypt, and Iran, has called for an end to unilateral coercive measures. These nations argue that such actions interfere with the internal affairs of sovereign countries and undermine the principles of multilateral cooperation.
Fu Cong, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, emphasized that unilateral measures have contributed to global instability and placed significant economic and humanitarian strain on developing nations. The joint statement issued by these countries highlighted that sanctions, secondary restrictions, and compliance measures exacerbate economic and humanitarian challenges while creating risks for food, energy, and financial security.
The coalition of countries also expressed concern about the growing use of tariffs as a tool for economic pressure, warning that such measures can disrupt global trade, supply chains, and hinder efforts by affected nations to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. They further argued that unilateral coercive measures could impact fundamental rights, such as access to health, education, development, and other basic needs.
The group of 28 countries urged states imposing these measures to adhere to the UN Charter and international law, calling for the lifting of unilateral coercive measures. They also encouraged UN member states and international organizations to support nations affected by these restrictions. The statement reflects a growing discourse on the impact of economic measures on global cooperation and development.