Your Excellency Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul,

I thank you for chairing today’s meeting.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the UN peacebuilding architecture. As the core of this architecture, the Peacebuilding Commission has played a vital role over the past two decades. Today, peacebuilding efforts face new circumstances and tasks. We must make good use of the ongoing peacebuilding architecture review to heed the views of all parties, draw lessons from experience, and ensure that peacebuilding work better adapts to the situation and plays a greater role. I would like to make three points:

First, addressing the root causes of conflict. Peacebuilding efforts must make sure to assist countries in achieving sustainable development by prioritizing resources in areas such as poverty alleviation, job creation, education improvement, and governance optimization. This will enable the local population to genuinely benefit from development dividends, strengthen individual belonging and social cohesion, and lay a solid foundation for lasting peace.

Second, strengthening partnerships. Peacebuilding efforts must respect the sovereignty and ownership of the country concerned. The efforts should be tailored to the country’s specific national conditions, genuine aspirations, and priorities, with cooperation strengthened through constructive engagements. Peacebuilding efforts should also strengthen coordination with peacekeeping missions to ensure a smooth transition.

Third, improving the peacebuilding architecture. The Peacebuilding Commission should clarify its role, refine its working methods, enhance its interaction with the General Assembly, the Security Council, and the Economic and Social Council, and maintain coordination with projects and funds within the UN system to generate greater synergies. The efficiency of the Peacebuilding Fund utilization should be further enhanced, and financing channels should continue to be expanded.

Chair,

Chinese President Xi Jinping recently launched the Global Governance Initiative, emphasizing the principles of sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, people-centered approach, and real actions. These five principles help chart the way forward for strengthening peacebuilding efforts. Guided by the Global Governance Initiative, China will work with the international community to make greater contributions to the cause of peacebuilding.

Thank you, Chair.