New York, May 21 -- Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, Permanent Representative of India to the UN, noted that protecting civilians, including during conflict situations, is a central element of the maintenance of international peace and security.

Parvathaneni, while speaking at the Annual UNSC Open Debate on "Protection of civilians in armed conflict", congratulated China on assuming the UNSC Presidency for this month.

"We congratulate China on assuming the UNSC Presidency for this month and also welcome convening this annual open debate on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict. We thank the Secretary General for his report and the briefers for their insightful remarks this morning," he said.

Parvathaneni said that 2025 saw a dec...