UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 30 -- A Chinese envoy on Thursday called on the United Nations and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to work together to safeguard multilateralism in international and regional affairs.

Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting on cooperation between the UN and ASEAN, China's Permanent Representative to the UN, Zhang Jun, said the relationship between the UN and ASEAN has become increasingly close in recent years, the cooperation mechanism has been continuously improved, and the areas of cooperation have been continuously expanded.

At present, unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, and unstable and uncertain factors are increasing, impacting the international order and the global governance system, the Chinese envoy noted.

"It is even more important and urgent to strengthen multilateralism," said Zhang.

The Chinese ambassador noted that all ASEAN countries are developing countries and for them, accelerating development is the top priority and the fundamental way to prevent regional risks and challenges.

Zhang added that the UN should make better use of its institutional, resource and capacity advantages and strengthen coordination with the ASEAN to provide more support to its members in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, narrow the development gap, and promote youth employment and social stability in the region.

Furthermore, as ASEAN countries are deeply affected by terrorism and violent extremism, the international community should support them in carrying out counter-terrorism cooperation, implementing Security Council resolutions and the UN global counter-terrorism strategy, and working together to combat terrorist financing, drug trafficking and transnational crimes.

China is ready to work with other countries to strengthen cooperation between the UN and ASEAN and other regional and sub-regional organizations, firmly support multilateralism and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind, he said.