Mr. President,

I would like to convey my gratitude to Ambassador Momen and Ambassador Vilović for their briefings.

During the past year, the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) has continued to very actively implement the tasks entrusted to it under the relevant mandates of the General Assembly and the Security Council to attempt to assist post-conflict States in rebuilding themselves, and it continues to play an important role in that respect. Bangladesh, during its chairmanship of the PBC, undertook the initiative in September of organizing a high-level meeting of the PBC, thereby lending renewed momentum to the work in the field of peacebuilding. China wishes to express admiration for that sterling work.

It is also necessary to recognize that peacebuilding is a long-term, complex, difficult and comprehensive task. In the current context, it is facing a great many new obstacles and challenges. This state of affairs requires serious consideration that could result in anappropriate response on the part of the international community. The Chinese delegation would like to make the following comments.

First, respect for the ownership of relevant States should be one of the principles underlying all peacebuilding. Post-conflict countries bear the main burden for peace and security in their own territories, and the international community should fully respect their sovereignty and the will and provide constructive assistance pursuant to the priorities determined by those States themselves. We advocate working on an equal footing with less arrogance, more friendly consultations and fewer attempts to force recipes on the affected countries.

Secondly, we want to help post-conflict countries to devise comprehensive strategies for post-conflict reconstruction in accordance with their own specificities. All our histories are different; all our specific circumstances are different. There is no single model for peacebuilding. The international community should fully abide by and respect the cultural traditions of the countries concerned, listen attentively to their views and not just mechanically copy existing templates. The international community should give this in-depth consideration.

Thirdly, socioeconomic development should be the main way to build peace. In its peacebuilding efforts in post-conflict States, the international community has long tended to focus on human rights, the rule of law and security sector reform, perhaps without granting sufficient attention to economic and social development. Real investment is often lacking. We urge the international community to grant heightened attention to the socioeconomic development of States

by providing them with more genuine assistance. Assistance should not come with preconditions. We hope that the PBC will look at where it can add value, assist countries in mobilizing the necessary resources, and coordinate the efforts undertaken by the international community as a whole.

Fourthly, there is a need to pursue efforts aimed at improving the working methods and effectiveness of the PBC. We support the PBC in its desire to improve its internal working methods, learn lessons, identify best practices, and improve coordination and cooperation with the main United Nations bodies, including the Security Council, the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, among others; to involve the international financial institutions, such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund; and to fully listen to relevant regional organizations. It is important for all of us to work together to achieve progress in peacebuilding in post-conflict countries.

Thank you, Mr. President.