Madame President,

With the ever deepening globalization, the world we inhabit is getting smaller and smaller with more and more problems that call for concerted actions by all countries. As the most representative international organization, the United Nations is now facing a greater need to strengthen its cooperation with regional and other international organizations in promoting world peace and security and the common development of the mankind. For this reason, the Chinese delegation welcomes deliberations by the General Assembly on such an important agenda item as "cooperation between the United Nations and regional and other organizations".

Please allow me to comment, in particular, on the cooperation between the United Nations and the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO).

AALCO is the only intergovernmental legal consultative organization in the Asian and African region. Speaking of AALCO, we cannot fail to recall the famous Bandung Conference held some 50 years ago, and AALCO represents one of its most significant achievements. Over the years, the spirit of unity, friendship and cooperation advocated by the Bandung Conference has been a source of inspiration for Asian and African countries.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the AALCO. At its 45th annual session held last April, member states gathered together in celebration of its 50th jubilee. Months have elapsed, yet the fond memory lingers. As a regional organization operating in the legal field, AALCO has been carrying forward the Bandung spirit in providing, over the past fifty years, a forum for exchanges and cooperation on international legal matters among Asian and African countries, assisting them in engaging in international legal practices while promoting, through its activities, the gradual development and codification of the international law.

Over the years, AALCO has been following the work of the Sixth Committee and the International Law Commission. Many important international legal issues have been subjects of focused discussions of the AALCO, including the work of the International Law Commission, the Law of the Sea, international cooperation in combating trafficking in women and children, international legal instruments in the anti-corruption field, measures to eliminate international terrorism and WTO framework agreements as the code of conduct for world trade, etc. The comments or proposals by AALCO on these questions have served as an important reference for the Asian and African countries participating in the related UNGA deliberations, and even for the work of other legal organs of the United Nations.

Madame President,

In today's world, Asian and African countries have registered significant progress in political, economic and social areas, concurrent with a marked elevation of their standing and roles in international affairs. They have become an important force for world peace and common development. Correspondingly, Asian and African countries will continuously broaden and widen their participation in international legal affairs and take a more effective part in the process of democratization and rule of law governing international relations. As a legal consultative organization of Asian and African countries, AALCO is poised to play a more active role in this regard.

Madame President,

As a member state of both the UN and the AALCO, China has been attaching great importance to AALCA and most supportive of its work. I wish to hereby reaffirm that the Chinese government will, as always, continue to contribute to the close cooperation between the AALCO and the United Nations and other related organizations.

Thank you, Madame President.