I would like to thank the United States for convening this meeting. I would also like to congratulate Ambassador Umarov on assuming the chairmanship of the Committee pursuant to resolutions 751 (1992) and 1907 (2009) concerning Somalia and Eritrea. China will actively support his work.

At present, the situation in Somalia is seeing positive developments. The Federal Government of Somalia is committed to advancing the political process and national reconstruction, and has achieved positive results. China commends the African Union and countries of the region for their contributions to combating the terrorist group Al-Shabaab. We call on the international community to help Somalia’s statebuilding and support the efforts of the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somali National Army to counter terrorism in order to achieve peace and stability in the Horn of Africa as soon as possible.

The Horn of Africa has great geopolitical significance. The countries of the region have interconnected interests and are all tasked with attaining economic development and achieving better livelihoods for their people. Those goals require a peaceful and stable regional environment. China hopes that the countries of the region will promote the overall peace and stability of the Horn of Africa, as well as the fundamental interests of its peoples, strengthen good-neighborly and friendly relations, conduct pragmatic cooperation, resolve disputes through dialogue and consultations and jointly address the threat of terrorism, in line with their common interests.

It has always been China’s position that sanctions are not an end in themselves but contribute to the process of achieving a political solution. Sanctions should be adjusted based on developments on the ground. China hopes that the Somalia-Eritrea Monitoring Group will strictly adhere to its mandate bestowed to it by the Council. We hope that it conducts its work in an objective and impartial manner. The Group should strengthen its communication with all parties and issue a report based on solid, credible information in order to play a constructive role in achieving peace and stability in the Horn of Africa.

China firmly supports Somalia’s peace process and has provided the best possible assistance to AMISOM and the countries of the Horn of Africa in their peace processes. We are ready to work with the international community in order to continue making our due contributions to peace, stability and development in the Horn of Africa.