President,

I thank Special Representative Abdou Abarry and President Gilberto de Piedade Veríssimo for their briefings. China appreciates the efforts of the SRSG and his team, and will continue to support their work. In connection with the Secretary-General's latest report, I would like to make the following points. 

First, we must maintain peace and stability in the Central African region. During the reporting period, several countries made notable progress in their political and peace process. Gabon held early presidential elections. Chad successfully completed its political transition. Burundi carried out legislative and local elections as scheduled. Cameron, the CAR, among others, have actively prepared for the upcoming general elections. These developments reflect a strong political commitment to enhancing national governance and contribute to the consolidation of regional peace and stability. The international community should support these efforts by countries in the region and help sustain a positive momentum towards lasting peace. 

Second, we must assist countries in the region in addressing security threats. Security challenges in the Central African region remain significant. Violence in the Lake Chad Basin has increased rather than decreased. Terrorist attacks in the region are on the rise, and the spillover effects of the situation in Sudan and the eastern DRC are becoming increasingly evident, introducing uncertainty into regional security and stability. China welcomes the establishment of a joint border security force between Chad and the CAR and the resumption of intergovernmental cooperation mechanism. The international community should assist countries in the region in enhancing their independent counter-terrorism capabilities, increase support in areas such as funding, intelligence sharing, and capacity building, and together strengthen regional security. 

Third, we must help countries in the region achieve economic recovery. According to the African Development Bank’s forecast, the GDP growth rate of the Central African region is expected to reach 4% this year, with the economy gradually stabilizing. However, some countries still face issues such as deficits, high debt levels, and persistent inflation, and development challenges remain significant. The international community should strengthen its support for countries in the region by helping them develop their economies and improve people’s well-being. Greater assistance is needed in areas such as job creation and poverty reduction. More support should be given to help these countries explore development paths that are aligned with their national conditions, paving the way for economic recovery and sustainable growth. 

Fourth, we must support countries in the region in tackling humanitarian challenges. Arms conflicts and extreme weather have worsened the humanitarian situation, leading to a growing number of refugees and displaced persons, while humanitarian funding remains critically insufficient. The creation of a humanitarian aid fund by ECCAS is a commendable initiative. Traditional donors should step up, not scale back, their support to help countries in the region address these difficulties. 

President, 

Over the years, China has maintained good relations with all countries in the Central African region, and has engaged in fruitful cooperation within frameworks such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation to effectively promote regional development. The upcoming Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation will soon take place in China. This meeting is expected to inject fresh momentum into China-Africa cooperation and offer stronger support for peace, stability, development, and prosperity in the Central African region. 

I thank you, President.