9 October 2008

Mr. President,

The Chinese delegation wishes to thank the Peace Building Commission for its report on the work of its 2nd session. We also wish to thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his report on the operation of the Peace Building Fund. We support the relevant conclusions and recommendations contained in the above-mentioned reports. The Chinese delegation wishes to take this opportunity to thank Ambassador Takasu, chairman of the PBC, for his efficient work. Under his guidance, the PBC has made much headway over the past year.

Mr. President,

It has been over two years since the PBC was formally established. Over the past two years, the PBC, guided by the Outcome Document of the World Summit, has carried out in earnest its mandate under the relevant General Assembly and Security Council resolutions and put into practice the concept of peace-building around the globe, bringing hope of peace and development to the countries and peoples concerned. If the work of the PBC in its first year laid the foundation, then its performance in the second year has further increased its influence which can be seen in the following areas: first, the number of subjects under its consideration has increased. Apart from Burundi and Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau and the Central African Republic were newly added to the list, making up a total of four countries on the agenda of the PBC. In addition, the PBF is currently providing financial support to nine countries. It is fair to say that the expansion of the scope of work of the PBC and the PBF is both appropriate and efficient. Second, the PBC has enhanced its ties with the stakeholders both inside and outside the UN by keeping lines of communication open with the main organs and the Secretariat of the UN and strengthening links with the Bretton Woods system, regional organizations such as the African Union, the private sector and the civil society. Thirdly, it has increased its influence on the ground by sending missions to Burundi, Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau, demonstrating its resolve and commitment to peace-building. In formulating integrated peace-building strategies, the PBC invited the participation of representatives of all parties to hear a wide range of views. It provided timely financial support to Sierra Leone for its general and local elections and has been following closely the peace process of Burundi.

These achievements notwithstanding, the PBC still faces both internal and external challenges. Externally, the continuous turbulence of hotspot issues, the worsening global economic imbalance, food crisis, shortage of resources, frequent natural disasters and rampaging epidemics have posed grave global challenges, more so for the countries and peoples at the lowest level of development. Internally, as a newly established body, the PBC has a great deal of work that remains to be done in terms of improving its mechanism and rationalizing its structure. With only two years to go before the appraisal of the PBC in 2010, realities do not allow us to take a long pause for reflections. No time should be lost in further improving the Commission's work.

China has every confidence in the work of the PBC. Here I wish to make the following suggestions on further improvement of its work.

First, enhance coordination with other agencies and bring into play its unique advantages. In the face of ever growing challenges, we must act in a collective manner. In some areas of peace-building, other UN agencies, the Bretton Woods system, regional organizations like the AU and the EU as well as bilateral assistance partners have already done a great deal of work and accumulated rich experience. The PBC should maximize its coordinating role and seek to strengthen the cooperation among the relevant mechanisms. In those areas where there has been less investment, the PBC should use its advantages and play an active role by inviting the relevant parties to join the peace-building process. We should map out the use of resources more effectively and increase the impact of peace-building through coordination and cooperation.

Second, strengthen the partnerships with the countries concerned so as to bring into full play their initiatives. The countries concerned bear the primary responsibility for their own peace-building. In the final analysis, the goal of peace-building is to build a peaceful and stable national system, and in peace building, the local people are both the primary force to be relied upon as well as the biggest beneficiaries. We should have confidence in the local people and rely on the local government, encouraging them to bring their wisdom into play and take part in the formulation of reconstruction plans so that they will devote themselves to the cause of peace-building with a sense of responsibility and ownership.

Third, strengthen the institutional building of the PBC and properly address various internal issues. We hope that PBC members will strengthen consultation, take account of each other's interests, and address appropriately the question of member turnover. We expect the PBC to streamline meetings, enhance efficiency, avoid formalities and ensure the quality of meetings. We are fully aware of the fact that there are different views among the PBC members on the concept of peace-building and its priorities. We hope that members will enhance exchange of views, increase mutual understanding and take into consideration various concerns.

Mr. President,

With regard to the PBF, in general the Chinese delegation is happy with its financing and operation. As a new financing mechanism, the PBF is of great significance to initiating the relevant peace-building programs. Its operation over the past two years has given the initial demonstration to its key "catalyst' role. In its future work, we hope the secretariat of the Fund will continue to provide regular briefings to the donors and the PBC on PBF operations. We ask the management to expedite the allocation of financial resources and hope that the Secretary-General will strengthen the impact appraisal and accountability for projects. The Chinese government will as always support the work of the Peace Building Fund.

Thank you, Mr. President.