Madam Chair, 

At the outset, I wish to thank Bureau Members, the ACABQ and Secretariat of the Fifth Committee for their full preparation for the second resumed session of the Committee. We appreciate the strong leadership of Ambassador Lopez, Permanent Representative of El Salvador as the Chair of the Fifth Committee. China aligns itself with the statement made by Iraq on behalf of the G77 and China, and would like to add the following comments:

First, United Nations peacekeeping operations is an important tool for the maintenance of international peace and security, and is also facing unprecedented situation and challenges. China supports implementation of peacekeeping operations’ core mandates to work in line with the well-established political process while the ground situation and concerns of the host country are given full consideration.

Second, peacekeeping budget constitutes the largest expenditure in the United Nations budget, and it is crucial for the Secretariat to prepare a rational and realistic budget for peacekeeping operations. Although there is decease in the estimated budget for peacekeeping operations for 2025/2026 due to the closure of MINUSMA, the increase of active peacekeeping missions’ budget is rather huge. Given the background of drawing down and downsizing of peacekeeping operations in general, the proposed estimated budget of the Support Account has increased by $43 million with an unprecedented and highest increase of 11.2%. We expect to work with other delegations to conduct a comprehensive and in-depth consideration of all the budget proposals to enable peacekeeping operations to fully implement the  core mandates of supporting political process and consolidating peace and security with necessary resources while at the same time strengthen budgetary performance with a view to improve efficiency and enhance effectiveness. 

China supports the full play of the role and oversight function of the Board of Auditors as an external audit body. We hope that the Secretariat will fully implement recommendations from the Board of Auditors so as to strengthen supervision and enhance accountability with zero tolerance against waste of funds and resources resulting from mismanagement.

Third, peacekeeping missions should attach importance to strengthening communication and coordination with host countries to reduce the safety risks of peacekeepers in implementing mandates. With great contributions of troop/policing contributing countries (TCC/PCCs) to peacekeeping operations, candidates from TCC/PCCs should be given more opportunities to be appointed to senior positions in peacekeeping missions. We call for greater efforts from the Secretariat to increase the representation and participation of personnel from developing countries, especially those from underrepresented developing countries.

Madam Chair,

As the second largest contributor and major troop contributor, China takes concrete actions to contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security. China puts forwards the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and advocates common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security to build a community with a shared future of mankind. We are ready to work with all parties to actively participate in and support the United Nations peacekeeping operations. The Chinese delegation will engage with other delegations and participate in consultations constructively on all agenda items. We believe that under your strong leadership, this session will achieve full success.  

I thank you Madam Chair.