(March 25, 2009)

Mr. Chairman,

The Chinese delegation would like to thank Ms. Catherine Vendat, the Director of Peacekeeping Finance Division and Ms. Susana Malcorra, Under Secretary-General for Field Support for their respective introduction to the report of the Secretary-General on the financing of the support for AMISOM for the period of 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009. We would also like to thank Ms. Susan McLurg, chairperson of the ACABQ, for her introduction of the report of that committee.

On January 16 this year, the Security Council adopted Resolution 1863 (2009) in which it indicated the intention to establish a UN peace keeping operation in Somalia as a follow-on force to AMISOM subject to a further decision of the Council by June 1. China always supports the peace process in Somalia and believes that the protracted existence of the problem of Somalia without a settlement poses a serious threat to the international peace and security. We highly appreciate the efforts made by the AU in promoting the peace process in Somalia, especially the outstanding work carried out by AMISOM under extremely difficult conditions. We support the UN in providing a logistical support package to AMISOM and creating conditions for the future incorporation of AMISOM troops in the UN peace keeping mission.

Mr. Chairman,

As is pointed out by the report of the Secretary-General, because of the unstable security situation in Somalia and the large size of AMISOM, the UN will find itself faced with many new situations and challenges in providing support to AMISOM and will require corresponding support staff. We are pleased to note that the Secretary-General has put forward some planning assumptions and support initiatives, including the establishment of a support office and has already set up a trust fund. We note with appreciation the assurances of the Secretary-General that, in providing logistical support to AMISOM, transparency and effectiveness will be ensured in the disposal of the UN resources; that a MOU will be signed with the AU to establish different forms of accountability for the use of material, services and equipment provided by the UN to AMISOM; and that the proposed support office will explore with other UN offices and missions in the surrounding area options for common support arrangement. We believe that these measures will be conducive to the full utilization of resources and the strengthening of coordination so as to ensure the effectiveness of the support to AMISOM. At the same time, we hope that the Secretariat will provide us with further details as to the challenges in the provision of logistical support, the structure of the UN support and procurement according to the UN standards, rules and regulations.

Mr. Chairman,

We hope that all Member States will set their sight on the long term goal of promoting the Somali peace process, take an active part in the consideration of this item, fully display the spirit of cooperation and flexibility and reach consensus on the questions concerned as soon as possible so that the work of providing support to AMISOM can start at an early date.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.