Protecting civilians in areas of conflict is the only way to lay the foundation for a sustained peace, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told a Security Council open debate on Tuesday.

Guterres urged council members not to allow political differences to prevent or undermine actions to protect civilians.

"This is vital to saving lives and safeguarding our common humanity," he said, adding that the most effective way to protect civilians is to prevent conflicts or end them.

At the end of 2016, 65.6 million people worldwide were uprooted by war, violence or persecution, according to the UN chief.

The bombing of towns and cities kills and injures tens of thousands of civilians every year and lays waste to homes and vital infrastructure, including water and power systems, he said.

Humanitarian and medical personnel are often targeted or prevented from carrying out their duties, he said.

In 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) recorded 322 attacks resulting in 242 deaths among medical personnel and patients. "This is unconscionable," said Guterres.

He called for all governments to develop national policy frameworks to protect civilians affected by conflicts.

Member states were asked to support the UN and others in engaging with non-state armed groups to develop policies, codes of conduct and action plans to protect civilians, as well as support heightened advocacy on the protection of civilians.

Ma Zhaoxu, China's permanent representative to the UN, echoed the UN chief, saying that the best protection for civilians is to efficiently prevent armed conflict.

Efforts should be made to solve the issue by looking at the root causes of the conflicts, he said in his remarks during the debate at UN headquarters in New York.

Ma urged the Security Council to fulfill its role of maintaining world peace and security, and adopt political solutions to conflicts to avoid civilian suffering.

"The international community should take concrete actions to solve the deeper problems that cause the conflicts," Ma said. "Countries need to nurture the idea of a shared destiny for mankind, and encourage the global management concept of dialogue and sharing so as to build a peaceful and stable global environment."

Ma suggested that governments and related parties in areas of conflict take responsibility for protecting civilians.

UN peacekeepers should strictly follow the Security Council's mandate as they carry out the duty of civilian protection, he said.

Ma also said humanitarian aid needs to follow the UN Charter and UN principles.

"The UN should fully play its role of coordination, keep up communication with related parties in the conflict area and step up guidance to aid workers to ensure effective implementation of humanitarian aid," he added.