On January 7, Ambassador Zhang Jun, Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, met with the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel Mohamed Ibn Chambas. The two parties discussed the situation in West Africa and the Sahel and the work of UNOWAS.

Chambas said that the current situation in west Africa and the Sahel is generally improving, and China has played an important role in this regard. It is hoped that China will continue to support the UNOWAS mandate and help countries in the region strengthen their capacity building and achieve peace, stability and economic development.

Zhang said that China firmly supports the work of UNOWAS and hopes that UNOWAS will pay more attention to development, maintain the ownership of regional countries, strengthen coordination and cooperation with sub-regional organizations, and play a greater role in resolving regional problems.