Ms. President,

I would like to thank Colombia for its initiative in holding this open debate on post-conflict peace building, and Foreign Minister Holguín Cuéllar for presiding over today’s meeting. I would also like to thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon; Ambassador Gasana and Ambassador Momen, the Permanent Representatives of Rwanda and Bangladesh, respectively; and Mr. Von Amsberg of the World Bank for their presence.

China greatly appreciates the remarkable achievements of the Peace building Commission (PBC) last year. As the first entity within the United Nations system in charge of coordinating post-conflict peace building, the PBC has made efforts to implement its mandate, pursuant to the relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, and has played an important role in advancing peace building in countries emerging from conflict. At the same time, since peace building is a long-term, complex and arduous task, the PBC confronts many challenges in its work. I would like to make the following four comments.

First, the PBC and all relevant parties should fully respect the national ownership of the countries concerned. Post-conflict States bear primary responsibility for building peace in their own countries. In helping such countries to build peace, the Commission should respect their will and try to help them strengthen national capacity-building, including by enhancing their capacity in the areas of civil administration and national governance. The PBC should also proactively strengthen its partnership with the countries on its agenda in a constructive manner.

Secondly, the Commission should help post-conflict countries mobilize the necessary resources in accordance with their national situation and specific priorities. The priorities of post-conflict peace building are stabilizing the security situation, promoting political reconciliation, and strengthening the development of democracy. At the same time, root problems that threaten peace and security, particularly issues of social and economic development, should also be tackled. The PBC should act as an important platform to help coordinate international assistance and mobilization of resources. We also hope that the Peace building Fund will be able to provide greater support for the work of post-conflict peace building.

Thirdly, the Commission should enhance its coordination and cooperation with the chief United Nations entities, international financial institutions and regional organizations. We hope that it will build on its coordination and coherence with such major organs of the United Nations as the Security Council, the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council in an effort to explore effective means of assisting post-conflict countries in building peace. The unique advantages in the field of peace building possessed by such financial institutions as the World Bank and by regional and sub-regional organizations, such as the African Union, should be tapped further in order to achieve more concrete results in peace building among countries emerging from conflict.

Last, but not least, we believe that the PBC should continue to strive to improve its working methods and enhance efficiency. Peace building covers a broad area and involves complex and burdensome tasks. The PBC should continue to improve its internal institution-building, and actively collect experiences and best practices. At the same time, it should put more emphasis on results achieved in the field in specific countries, including using such resources as various United Nations projects, funds and peacekeeping missions, while strengthening coordination and cooperation and avoiding duplication.

Thank you, Ms. President.