Fiji, Sept. 30 -- New Zealand has called on the next United Nations Secretary-General to take a stronger role in preventing and resolving conflicts, defend the UN Charter and push for reforms to restore confidence in the organisation.

Delivering New Zealand's High-Level Statement to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, Permanent Representative to the UN Victoria Louise Hallum said the world was becoming more contested, fragmented and volatile, with conflicts increasing and humanitarian needs growing.

"The number of active conflicts in the world has doubled in the past 20 years.

"The number of conflict related deaths has reached levels not seen in decades," Hallum said.

She said fundamental rules governing state behaviour were ...