Madam Assistant Secretary General,

The Chinese delegation wishes to thank the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) for organizing the 2013 High Level Conference of Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and to thank Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for his report on CERF.

The year 2013 bears witness to CERF's continuous success in funding critical humanitarian responses in the Sahel region, Syria and neighboring countries, the Philippines and other countries and regions that suffer from chronical humanitarian crises, thanks to its steadfast efforts in improving management mechanisms and procedures. Its fast and flexible resource allocation facilitated early response and action which helped minimize loss of life, sped up response to time critical requirements and strengthened the capacity of the countries to cope with crises. The ever expanding membership of and increasing contributions to CERF attest to the effectiveness of its operations. China appreciates CERF's achievements and encourages CERF to continue to strengthen partnerships, expand its donor base, disseminate best practices and successful experience, and further expand its funding. China also encourages OCHA to further strengthen the coordination of various actors in international humanitarian response.

China values it's relationship with OCHA, support CERF's important work in funding emergency response actions and under-funded chronical humanitarian needs and will continue to participate actively in the CERF advisory group. In 2014, China pledges a contribute of 500,000USD to CERF, subject to the approval by China National People's Congress. In the future, China will gradually increase its contribution within its capabilities.

Thank you, Madam Assistant Secretary General.