Your Excellency USG Voronkov,

SRSG Imnadze,

I thank the UNOCT and the UNRCCA for holding today's meeting.

The current situation in Central Asia is by and large stable, but the risk of terrorism remains grave. China appreciates the determination and commitment of Central Asian countries in combating terrorism, and stands side by side with them by offering consistent support and assistance.

Last month, the second China-Central Asia Summit was successfully held in Kazakhstan. The Summit adopted the Astana Declaration, stressing that a stable, developing, and prosperous Central Asia is in the common interests of the people of the six countries and the wider international community. In the Declaration, the six countries strongly condemn all forms of terrorism, separatism, and extremism, and agree to combat these three forces and address security threats together. Such consensus has provided strong guidance for China and the five Central Asian countries to deepen counter-terrorism cooperation.

China will host Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in the upcoming September in Tianjin, China, and counter-terrorism is high on the agenda of the Summit. We believe that the discussion and agreement on this topic at the Summit will inject new momentum into the cooperation between China and Central Asian countries to safeguard regional peace, stability, development, and prosperity.

Since 2022, the China-UN Peace and Development Fund has provided funding support to the UNOCT and the UNRCCA in carrying out the project of Counter-Terrorism Early Warning Network for Central Asia, which aims at helping Central Asian countries strengthen their counter-terrorism capacity-building. I am pleased to learn that the project has made substantial progress over the years. It has facilitated the exchange of counter-terrorism information among Central Asian countries, strengthened their capacity to prevent terrorist threats, and provided effective assistance for regional countries to jointly combat terrorism.

We hope that the UN agencies will continue to focus on the priorities and practical needs of Central Asian countries, and carry out their work on the basis of respect for the sovereignty and ownership of Central Asian Countries. At the same time, we encourage the UN agencies to work more closely with regional organizations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to form synergy in maintaining regional peace and stability.

Colleagues,

Terrorism is a common enemy of humanity, and terrorist threats facing the international community are far from being eliminated. The recent terrorist attacks in Syria and Pakistan serves as a stark reminder in this regard.

All countries should stay committed to the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security, jointly address the threat of terrorism, and oppose selective approach and double standards on counter-terrorism.

In this regard, I wish to share the following observations:

First, while we see more and more crises and conflicts against the backdrop of high geopolitical tension, there is an increasing risk of terrorist groups taking advantage of the turmoils and chaos to expand their influence. The international community must uphold the peaceful settlement of disputes and promote the deescalation of conflicts, to eliminate and weaken the enabling environment of terrorist forces.

Second, poverty and underdevelopment are major contributors for the existence and persistence of terrorism. We must accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, so as to break the vicious cycle of poverty fueling terrorism and terrorism begetting poverty.

Third, developing countries, especially those with a higher risk of terrorism, should be given more attention and resources to build up their counter-terrorism capacity and better combat terrorism in accordance with their national conditions and needs.

Fourth, Afghanistan must never again become a hub for terrorist organizations. China supports Central Asian countries, the UN agencies, and the wider international community in strengthening engagement and cooperation with Afghan authorities to combat terrorism, and helping Afghanistan develop its economy and improve people's livelihood, so as to eliminate the breeding ground for terrorism.

Colleagues,

China is fully committed to the maintenance of peace and security in Central Asia, and we will work with all parties to resolutely combat terrorism in all its forms and make greater contributions to a peaceful and stable Central Asia, and a world that enjoys lasting peace and universal security.

Thank you.