1st LD: China urges support for Africa to enhance capacities

UNITED NATIONS, Aug 8 (Xinhua) — China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and President of the United Nations Security Council for August, Zhang Jun, on Monday called on the international community to cooperate in enhancing its ability to ensure lasting peace in Africa. . comprehensive approach.

Zhang said at a Security Council open debate convened by China on the topic “Peace and Security in Africa: Capacity-Building to Keep Peace” You need to think.”

Taking into account China’s own development experience, the experience of China-Africa cooperation, and historical lessons from around the world, China believes that in order to help Africa achieve long-term stability, Investing is a must to have a long term outlook. And to build a strong foundation for Africa to strengthen its growth potential and improve its resilience to external shocks, he said.

“In this regard, capacity building is the most important part,” Zhang said.

The envoy urged support for African countries in strengthening governance capacity. “In order to increase government capacity, we need to maintain the right direction and respect the development path and social order freely chosen by their people.”

He said that there should be no political conditions attached to the aid, nor should there be interference in the internal affairs of African countries or the role of local governments should be changed.

For post-conflict countries, Zhang sought to support newly established governments in exercising the authority of the state, rather than the arbitrary use of sanctions to try and pressure “democratic change”, rather than endless criticism and blame-finding. stressed the need.

It is important to support African countries in improving the ability of the security sectors to perform their duties. He said that taking into account the grievances of African countries, it is necessary to comprehensively review some of the peacekeeping operations and reform practices deployed by the United Nations in Africa which are not conducive to the situation on the ground.

Arms sanctions imposed by the Security Council on countries such as Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have a negative impact on the capacity building of security sectors in these countries, and need to be adjusted and removed in a timely manner. He said funding for African Union-led peacekeeping missions has been an ongoing difficulty, which calls for solutions.

Zhang underscored the need to support African countries to improve their sustainable development potential.

Currently, the African continent is beset with economic, financial, food, energy and other challenges. These are related to a turbulent international situation, but the underlying cause is an unjust and unfair international economic order.

He noted that African countries have expressed a strong desire to end unfair treatment, and that the international community has an obligation to help Africa achieve economic independence by helping them to accelerate industrialization, modernization of infrastructure, achieve financial autonomy and increase economic independence. support.

He stressed, “Developed countries must honor their commitments on climate funding as soon as possible and fulfill what has been owed to Africa in history.”

Zhang also called for efforts to support African countries in building larger talent pools. “The international community should help African countries train more talent based on urgent needs in reconstruction and social and economic development. To encourage countries affected by conflict to increase policy support and resource input for youth and children and There is a special need for special expansion. Support in development and education.”