Notably, the UN General Assembly needs emergency powers to create legally binding emergency resolutions aimed at ending wars and conflicts, and providing the necessary humanitarian assistance to those affected. The concept of such emergency powers is controversial, primarily because of the risk of abuse and misconduct, so oversight and other measures to prevent this would be needed.

The need for reform within the UN, particularly the Security Council, is urgent. The veto power wielded by the permanent members has become a significant obstacle to effective decision-making and global cooperation, including the need to help civilians suffering in war-torn areas. It has become a source of frustration to many UN member states.

It’s time for change, and reform can no longer be delayed. As former British prime minister Winston Churchill once said, “To improve is to change, so to be perfect is to have changed often.”

Wong Shiu Chi, North Point

Dangerous moment in Dutch politics

The Party for Freedom, also known as PVV, is a far-right party, blaming Islam, “non-Western” migrants and refugees for things that have gone wrong in the Netherlands.

Wilders has referred to male refugees as “testosterone bombs” to be feared by Western women. He has been convicted of inciting discrimination for speaking of “fewer” Moroccans in the Netherlands.

During the election campaign, Wilders adopted a milder tone and said he was prepared to “put in the fridge” ideas like banning mosques and Islamic schools. In victory, he declared that he would be “prime minister for all Dutch people”, regardless of belief and ethnicity.

But he showed how mild he really was when he visited an anti-refugee protest in Kijkduin after the election and repeated that he wanted an asylum freeze. It would be dangerous for the PVV to lead the government.

Astrid Essed, Amsterdam

How to better promote digital Hong Kong

It is encouraging to note the policy address in October mentioned the establishment of a Digital Policy Office which will formulate policies on digital government, data governance and information technology.

This is similar to the position of chief data officer that I have been advocating for a long time, who would be responsible for coordinating and overseeing open data initiatives within the government, establishing specifications for open data, setting guidelines for data collection to protect personal privacy, reviewing existing legislation and setting a timetable for implementation.

As these tasks are heavy and involve cross-departmental work, I suggest that the authorities set up a high-level department, similar to the newly established National Data Administration on the mainland, to promote economic development and manage the use the digital resources more effectively.

At present, the digital economy accounts for a large portion of economic activity in China. In 2022, it reached 50.2 trillion yuan, or more than 41 per cent of gross domestic product.

According to Zhang Xianghong, a professor at the International Centre for Informatics Research at Beijing Jiaotong University, the mainland needed a high-level entity like the National Data Administration because its digital economic development is “big but not strong”.

The country had at least eight departments managing data at a low level, which was not effective, he said. On the other hand, the establishment of the National Data Administration would be more conducive to fostering the development of data infrastructure, so as to better promote a digital China economically and socially.

The Hong Kong government should consider this approach.

Dr Winnie Tang, adjunct professor, faculties of engineering, social sciences and architecture, University of Hong Kong