I wish to thank Under-Secretary-General Jeffrey Feltman and Ms. Imam for their briefings.

China has been closely following developments in the Lake Chad basin and appreciates the firm commitment shown and the unremitting efforts made by the countries of the region in the fight against terrorism. China welcomes the formation of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and its positive progress in the joint operations against terrorism.

At present, the Lake Chad basin region is plagued by terrorist and violent extremist activities and the threats posed by transnational organized crimes, including trafficking in arms, drugs and human beings, and the security situation there remains precarious. Meanwhile, the countries of the region face the grave challenges posed by the humanitarian crisis, with massive displacement of civilians in dire need of humanitarian assistance, including food and medicine. The United Nations and the international community should closely follow developments in the Lake Chad basin and jointly help the countries of the region to respond to the current challenges.

First, effective measures must be taken to ease the humanitarian crisis in the Lake Chad basin. The countries of the region and subregion and their people have hosted a large number of internally displaced persons, and the international community should also lend a helping hand. China has promptly responded to the crisis through bilateral and multilateral channels, providing emergency food assistance to the countries of the region, including Nigeria and Chad. We call on the international donors to honor their humanitarian assistance commitments as soon as possible and to continue to provide the countries of the region with assistance in terms of improving food security and medical care.

Secondly, support should be given to the countries of the region in their efforts to fight terrorism. Counterterrorism in Africa is an important component of the international counter-terrorism campaign and has made a significant contribution thereto. The international community should support African countries in seeking African solutions to African problems, on the basis of respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the countries of the region, helping them to enhance their counter-terrorism capacity and providing them with assistance in the areas of funding, equipment and technology training support so as to support the MNJTF in carrying out effective operations.

Thirdly, we should take a longer-term perspective and focus on providing assistance to the countries of the region in upgrading their capacities in the area of economic and social development. The United Nations should scale up its contribution to assisting the relevant countries in their post-conflict reconstruction and economic development and effectively improve living standards, thereby eliminating the breeding ground for conflict and terrorism.

We hope that the countries of the region will strengthen their coordination with the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States, the Economic Community of Central African States and the Lake Chad Basin Commission and jointly respond to the challenges.

The international community should better align the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with the African Agenda 2063 so as to achieve lasting peace and development as early as possible in Africa.

China has maintained close political and economic relations with the Lake Chad basin countries, actively providing assistance in their economic and social development. China will continue to pursue an Africa policy based on sincerity, practical results, affinity and good faith, and uphold the values of friendship, justice and shared interests, fully implementing all of the outcomes of the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

China stands ready to work with the international community and the countries of the region to support Central and West African countries in achieving lasting peace and common prosperity and to make a new contribution to peace and development in Africa.

(UN Photo/Kim Haughton)