Santiago de Chile, January 1 (RHC-PL), -- Chile assumes the Presidency Pro Tempore of the United Nations Security Council on Thursday, with a commitment to make specific contributions, according to the statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Santiago de Chile.

The Ministry said that as President of that body for this month, the South American nation hoped to foster effective multilateralism.

It also recalled that the Security Council, whose primary responsibility is to maintain international peace and security, was previously chaired by Chile in 1952, 1953, 1961, 1962, 1996, 1997 and 2004.

The Foreign Ministry announced the will of the Chilean representation at the UN to continue making contributions to the prevention and resolution of crises affecting international peace and security in different regions of the world.

It added that Chile would be guided by the UN principles of sovereign equality of states, non-intervention, respect of international treaties, promotion of human rights, democracy and peaceful settlement of disputes.

It added that during its presidency of the Council, Chile would "promote an agenda that would strengthen the action of the United Nations in its three pillars: international peace and security, human rights and development'.

The country is taking over the presidency at a time when five new non-permanent members will be taking seats on the Council for a two-year term, namely Angola, Malaysia, New Zealand, Spain and Venezuela.