Chair,

I thank you for convening this meeting. I have listened attentively to the statements by President Philemon Yang, Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Ambassador Fatima Kyari Mohammed, Chairperson Antje Leendertse, Dr. Emma Birikorang, and other colleagues.

In recent years, the African continent has generally maintained a stable trajectory of development. At the same time, challenges to peace and security in Africa have increased, with some hotspot issues escalating sharply, causing significant spillover effects, all of which have taken a toll on the security, lives, and livelihoods of people. This is deeply saddening. The international community must pay more attention to the situation, invest more in peacebuilding and peacekeeping efforts, and adopt a multidimensional and integrated approach to support Africa’s peace, stability, development, and prosperity. I wish to make three points.

First, we must support Africa’s independent efforts to safeguard peace and security. The AU and subregional organizations have long been actively responding to local peace and security challenges and promoting African solutions to African problems. These efforts have made important contributions to maintaining stability and silencing the guns in Africa, and deserve full recognition and support. Security Council Resolution 2719, which calls for sufficient, predictable, and sustainable funding for AU-led peace operations, is a milestone and should be fully implemented.

Second, we must support the development and revitalization of African countries. Development is the fundamental solution to the root cause of recurring conflict, and it is also the most effective means of conflict prevention. In assisting with the continent’s response to conflicts, the UN must not only focus on stabilizing the current situation, but also take a long-term perspective, prioritizing support for sustainable development in the countries concerned and helping transform Africa’s human and natural resources into development advantages. International financial institutions should actively respond to Africa’s demands by providing greater financing support for its development.

Third, we must ensure that peacekeeping operations better align with Africa’s needs. Taking peacekeeping reform as an opportunity, the UN should clarify the role of peacekeeping operations in Africa, optimize their mandates, and direct resources and efforts towards areas that are needed by the countries concerned and expected by local populations. At the same time, we must proactively leverage diplomatic means such as prevention and mediation to enhance the prospect of peace and minimize the harm of conflict. China is the second largest contributor to UN peacekeeping budget and the largest TCC among the P5 of the Security Council. We have contributed troops to peacekeeping missions in Africa, including South Sudan and Abyei, making important contributions to peacekeeping on the continent.

China and Africa are good brothers, good friends, and good partners who are sincere and friendly based on mutual assistance and joint development.

At the recent Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, China announced the policy of granting 53 African countries having diplomatic relations with China zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines and providing more facilitation to Africa’s least developed countries for their export to China. China will actively implement relevant measures and make greater contributions to Africa’s peace and development through concrete actions.

Thank you, Chair.