Madam President,

I would like to thank Mr. Toyberg-Frandzen, Executive Representative of the Secretary-General, and Ambassador Rishchynski for their briefings. I also welcome the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sierra Leone to our meeting today.

Currently, the overall security situation in Sierra Leone is stable. Its economy has developed quite quickly, and various social spheres have seen significant progress.

China congratulates Sierra Leone on its positive achievements in its peaceful reconstruction. China appreciates the tireless efforts made by the Government of Sierra Leone in consolidating peace, promoting development, strengthening Government-building and facilitating social progress with the support of the international community. China hopes that Sierra Leone will continue to implement, in a comprehensive manner, its agenda for prosperity, steadily advance in its constitutional review process, defuse political tensions, eradicate the root causes of political tension and conflict and consolidate the achievements of its peacebuilding efforts so that all the people of Sierra Leone will be able to enjoy the dividends of peace and development.

Since its inception, in 2008, the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) has maintained close engagement and cooperation with the Government of Sierra Leone and has played a positive role in, and made an important contribution to, defusing tension and potential conflicts, maintaining overall peace and stability and supporting the reconstruction and development of Sierra Leone.

China highly appreciates the work of Executive Representative of the Secretary-General Toyberg-Frandzen, his predecessor and his entire team.

UNIPSIL's mandate will come to an end by the end of the month. This not only marks the successful completion of the transition from conflict to peace in Sierra Leone, but has also established a good model for the United Nations in helping other countries in post-conflict situations to achieve lasting peace and development. Its successful practices should be compiled and promoted.

The success of the United Nations experiences in Sierra Leone indicates that, in conducting its peacebuilding activities, the United Nations should give top priority to the ownership and leadership of the countries concerned, fully respect their sovereignty and aspirations, provide assistance in priority areas identified by the Governments concerned and help in the development of a comprehensive peacebuilding strategy, taking into consideration the situation on the ground.

Secondly, the United Nations should help the countries concerned to accelerate economic and social development and improve their peoples' lives by addressing the root causes of the conflict.

Thirdly, the Organization must assist the countries concerned in capacity-building in various fields and develop their capabilities in a sustainable manner so as to establish a solid foundation and guarantee for achieving lasting peace and development.

A new page has been turned in Sierra Leone's history. The country is embarking upon the road to lasting peace, stability and social and economic development and prosperity. However, Sierra Leone still faces many difficulties and challenges in terms of eradicating poverty, strengthening governance and promoting youth employment. It will continue to need the support and assistance of the United Nations and the international community.

It is our hope that the international community, in the context of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework, will provide financial support to Sierra Leone in advancing its development in various areas so that the country can achieve comprehensive development. China is ready to join hands with the international community and make its own positive contribution for an early realization of lasting peace and development in Sierra Leone.

Thank you, Madam President.