President,

I welcome Her Excellency Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for convening today's meeting, and I have listened carefully to the statements by all the briefers.

Natural resources are valuable assets for all countries and an important material foundation for promoting economic growth and achieving sustainable development. At present, in some conflict-affected regions, competition over natural resources, illegal exploitation and smuggling have become increasingly prominent and have even become important causes of the outbreak and continuation of conflicts. I would like to make three points.

First, it is imperative to uphold national ownership and improve resource governance. The international community should support conflict-affected countries in improving their natural resource governance systems, strengthening their capacity to manage and utilize natural resources, combating crimes such as illegal exploitation and smuggling, and cutting off channels of conflict financing. It is essential to respect the sovereignty and right to development of all countries, fully address the needs and concerns of resource-rich countries, especially developing countries, and avoid securitizing, politicizing, or instrumentalizing natural resource issues. Above all, natural resources must not be used as bargaining chips in geopolitical rivalry or as a pretext for interfering in the internal affairs of other countries.

Second, it is important to uphold international coordination and enhance the quality and effectiveness of cooperation. China supports regional countries in strengthening cooperation in information sharing, law enforcement, and border management to curb the illegal trade in natural resources and jointly safeguard the stability of global resource supply and industrial chains. China appreciates the positive role played by relevant international and regional mechanisms in enhancing the transparency of resource supply chains, and supports strengthened coordination between the United Nations and regional organizations on resource standards and compliance. All countries should foster a fair, open, and inclusive environment, rather than inciting bloc confrontation or forming exclusive "small circles."

Third, we must adopt a development-oriented approach to addressing the root causes of conflicts. The current competition for natural resources among parties to conflicts ultimately stems from unbalanced and inadequate development. As a result of Western colonial exploitation, African countries have long been confined to the lower end of the resource industrial and value chains. The international community, especially developed countries, should earnestly fulfill their development assistance commitments, increase financial and technological support, and help developing countries improve their capacity to develop and utilize natural resources, enhance the added value of their products, and improve employment and economic conditions. This will enable local people to benefit more from natural resources and break the vicious cycle of poverty and conflict.

President,

China is actively implementing the Global Development Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping. China stands ready to work with all parties to strengthen cooperation on the sustainable development and utilization of natural resources and international governance, transform resource advantages into drivers of development, better promote economic growth and improve people's well-being, eliminate the root causes of conflicts, and realize lasting peace.

I thank you, President.