Distinguished President Lajčák,

China wishes to thank you for convening this high-level meeting. I have the great honor to deliver this statement on behalf of H.E. Mr. Wang Yi, State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China.

Sustaining peace and sustainable development for all are both the shared aspiration of the world people and the lofty goal and mission of the United Nations.

In recent years, the UN peacebuilding architecture has worked energetically to support post-conflict nation building, and played an important role in helping the countries concerned consolidate peace and strive for sustainable development. On the UN’s work in peacebuilding and sustaining peace, I would like to make the following points:

First, respect the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms governing international relations. Sovereign equality is a basic principle enshrined in the UN Charter. In view of the difference among countries in terms of national condition and level of development, peacebuilding needs to respect the sovereignty, will and ownership of the country concerned and suit the latter’s specific situation. Peacebuilding work must be geared towards the overall goal of strengthening political and security institutions and development capacity, focusing on helping the country concerned build capacity, reinforcing conflict prevention, and promoting the transition to development and reconstruction.

Secondly, give equal weight to development and security, and eliminate the source of conflicts by addressing both the symptoms and the root causes. The international community needs to establish a global governance concept characterized by extensive consultation, joint contribution and benefit sharing, comprehensively advance the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, reinforce the global development partnership, and fulfill assistance commitments to help the developing countries improve their people’s livelihood, explore paths of development best suited to their own conditions and increase their own development capacity, thus laying a solid foundation for sustainable peace and promoting sustainable peace through sustainable development.

Thirdly, strengthen the UN system’s integration and coordination capacity and deepen partnerships, including those with regional organizations. In carrying out their work in peacebuilding, the relevant UN organs must strictly follow their respective mandates and form synergy. It’s important to leverage the advantages of regional organizations, in particular, actively supporting the AU in implementing its African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) Roadmap 2016-2020 and Agenda 2063, and encouraging regional organizations to play an active role in peacebuilding in their respective regions. International financial institutions such as the World Bank and the IMF should focus on supporting the developing countries in achieving economic and social development, thus eliminating poverty and other root causes of conflicts.

Mr. President,

China firmly defends the international system with the United Nations as its core, resolutely safeguards the basic norms governing international relations that are built upon the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and vigorously supports multilateralism. China is willing to share with other countries opportunities and fruits of development and provide more public goods for the realization of world peace, stability, development and prosperity. To this end, China is ready to work together with the UN member states to build a community of shared future for mankind, and further contribute to world peace and development.

Thank you, Mr. President.