President,

Today's meeting is very important. I thank the previous speakers for their statements. In particular, I commend Egypt and Slovenia for their work. 

It has been 20 years since the creation of the UN peacebuilding architecture. In the past 20 years, peacebuilding has become an important cross-cutting area of work for the United Nations. At present, the world situation is volatile with the emergence of global risks and challenges, and the United Nations is faced with the task of reform to reduce costs and increase efficiency. China looks forward to Member States upholding the spirit of solidarity, collaboration, efficiency and pragmatism, and, in the light of the new situation and new tasks, steadily carrying out the review on the basis of full consultations, so as to promote the further enhancement of the effectiveness of the peacebuilding architecture and to play a greater role in its implementation. I would like to talk about four points. 

First, countries concerned must take the lead. They bear the primary responsibility for peacebuilding in their own countries. The international community should strike a balance between the sovereignty of the countries concerned and international support, effectively respect, mobilize, and leverage the leading role of the countries concerned, support them in exploring a development path in line with their national conditions, and provide targeted assistance based on their will and the needs on the ground. 

Second, development must be prioritized. Without development, there can be no lasting peace. Peacebuilding efforts should focus on the most urgent needs of the countries concerned, while taking a long-term view by prioritizing resources in such key areas as poverty eradication, universal education, job creation, public health, and capacity building, so as to enhance the countries' internal momentum for development and gradually eliminate the root causes of conflict. 

Third, cost efficiency should be promoted. In the current situation of the resource constraints in the UN, the efficiency of peacebuilding funds should be enhanced. On the one hand, we should practice economy and ensure the investment will yield real results. On the other hand, we should innovate partnerships and expand financing channels. Resolution 78/257 adopted unanimously by the General Assembly sets out the requirements for the utilization and monitoring of peacebuilding funds, which should be fully and effectively implemented. 

Fourth, communication and coordination should be maintained. As the central body of the peacebuilding architecture, the PBC should, in accordance with its mandate, increase its interaction with UNGA, the Security Council, and ECOSOC, as well as the coordination with relevant UN agencies, so that they can complement and reinforce each other and create synergy. Peacebuilding and peacekeeping are interrelated. The PBC can provide advice during the transition and exit phases of PKOs to inform the Council's decision-making. 

President,

China has always actively supported peacebuilding efforts of the countries concerned through bilateral and multilateral channels. Through the China-UN Peace and Development Fund, China has carried out many peacebuilding projects to help the countries concerned consolidate peace and promote development. We will actively participate in the next phase of the review and continue to support the UN peacebuilding efforts, so as to contribute to the achievement of lasting peace.

Thank you, President.