New York, 15 October 2008

Mr. President,

The Chinese delegation associates itself with the statement made by the representative of Antigua and Barbuda on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

The UN High-level Meeting on Africa's Development Needs held on September 22 evaluated the needs and challenges of African development. The Political Declaration adopted at the meeting reflected the common will of all countries to enhance cooperation and help Africa achieve development at an early date. The UN High-level Event on the MDGs held on September 25 also gave special attention to Africa's achievement of the MDGs. Today, we are gathered once again to review the agenda item on African development. This will give us a more comprehensive understanding of the issue and put the Political Declaration on the fast track of implementation.

Mr. President,

To implement the Political Declaration, the key is to remain focused. And to do that, we must listen to African voices, respect African views, accommodate African concerns and support Africa's efforts to implement its own programs. The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) shows African countries’ determination to strive for strength through unity. The support of the international community should go hand in hand with the efforts of African countries. There are myriad ways to provide international support, but the following aspects are of great importance:

First, it is essential to deliver on the commitments of assistance to Africa. The international community, the developed countries in particular, should fully honor all assistance commitments to Africa and increase their ODA to 0.7% of their GNI. The developing countries should continuously deepen South-South cooperation and strengthen mutual help with Africa.

Second, it is essential to effectively address new challenges. In recent years, climate change, food crisis, financial turbulences and rising energy prices have not only increased uncertainties in global economic growth, but also eroded African countries' achievements and made it harder for them to achieve the MDGs. As the international community explores the ways to respond to various crises and new challenges, it is important to better appreciate African countries’ concerns and desire, and take more substantive actions.

Third, it is essential to help African countries build their capacity. African countries have made tremendous efforts to bring development into their own hands, such as improving their governing capability and increasing their capacity and potential for independent development. The international community should offer African countries favorable conditions in debt relief, market access and technology transfer to help them overcome development obstacles. In the fields of global economy, finance and trade, it is important to provide African countries with an enabling external environment for their self-development.

Fourth, the United Nations should continue to put emphasis on Africa. The United Nations has played an important role in urging the international community to assist Africa. It should continue its input in terms of political mobilization, resource allocation, and progress monitoring to ensure that the relevant international consensus is truly implemented.

Mr. President,

Without peace, development will be weak; likewise, without development, peace will be fragile. To strive for reduction and even elimination of conflict in Africa bears on security and happiness of the African people. Over the past decade, with the support of sub-regional, regional, and international organizations, African countries have made tremendous efforts to promote peace and stability. The United Nations should continue to play an active part in promoting settlement of disputes through consultation and negotiations by the parties concerned, and in safeguarding and maintaining peace and stability in Africa. The international community should bear in mind the overall interest of Africa's stability and prosperity, and continue to help African countries develop economy, eradicate poverty, improve the environment, promote social progress and remove the root causes of conflicts and instability in Africa.

Mr. President,

China is a friend and partner of Africa. It is our strong resolve to enhance friendly cooperation with African countries and take concrete measures to support Africa in achieving peace and development.

At the High-level Meeting on Africa's Development Needs, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi outlined how China had strengthened its cooperation with Africa and provided various forms of assistance to African countries under the framework of South-South cooperation, and expressed China's readiness to take continued and effective measures to support African development and promote the new type of strategic partnership between China and Africa. We will continue to provide assistance and support to African countries in areas such as agriculture, education, health, medical care, and clean energy. We will also continue to support African countries in conflict prevention and settlement and peace building.

African people are industrious and talented. Africa is a promising continent with a huge potential. China is ready to work with the rest of the world for lasting peace, prosperity and development in Africa.

Thank you, Mr. President.