Mr President,

1. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

2. At the outset, we would like to stress that African countries are making extreme efforts to contain and overcome the repercussions of the covid-19 pandemic, which has presented unprecedented challenges for the Continent. Despite progress registered in recent years, the global health crisis has directly affected Africa’s ability to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and particularly to address the many challenges and threats to the peace and stability of the continent such as terrorism, transnational organized crime, drug, arms and human trafficking, pandemics, etc., that ultimately impede advancements in achieving sustainable development in its economic, social and environmental dimensions. In this regard, it is very important to highlight the crucial role of African countries in this resolution in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, as well as in building peace for sustainable development.

Mr President,

3. Peace and security in Africa have an important bearing on the stability and development of the world. Consequently, partnerships are essential, particularly through the pooling of efforts and means of action in the areas of crisis prevention and resolution, peacekeeping and peacebuilding.

4. The international community should collectively uphold the leadership and ownership of African countries in their fight against conflicts, by acting on their root causes which are linked to poverty, hunger, social inequalities, bad governance, human rights violations, impunity, and the feeling of marginalization that fosters identity withdrawal.

5. The G77+China, which is the proponent of this resolution has always been supporting the ambition of the African Group, to step up international cooperation for Africa, in the spirit of mutual benefit and international solidarity.

6. We wish to extend thanks and appreciation to the African group, represented by the co-coordinators Nadja MICAEL from Eritrea and Mamadou S. GUEYE from Senegal, as well as to the facilitator Yasser HALFAOUI from Morocco for their brilliant work and great leadership during the process of its negotiation. Also, we would like to thank all partners for their active commitment, which allowed us to have a consensual text.
Mr President,

7. In the past few years, this important resolution for Africa was adopted by vote, due to unacceptance of consensual language in the 2030 Agenda by some delegations, which brought adverse effects on global solidarity and partnership. While being deeply concerned with this, the G77+China has made tremendous efforts to accommodate concerns of all parties and shown maximum flexibility in formulating alternative language in the NEPAD resolution and Causes of Conflict resolution for having a consensual text.

8. We must reiterate that international cooperation, in the spirit of mutual benefit, is of great significance to developing countries, including African countries. Bearing this in mind, we will step up efforts to cooperate with all partners around the world and work with African countries to fight the pandemic and advance post-pandemic recovery, remove the root causes of conflicts, and inject new impetus to Africa’s lasting peace and sustainable development, for the common future of all.

Finally, Mr. President,

9. The discussions this year and many years before clearly demonstrate that the causes of conflict in Africa are many. Complex internal and external factors continue to cause, fuel, and perpetuate disputes in many parts of the world, including Africa. African countries can address the causes of human insecurity if afforded the policy space and international solidarity. The work of the UN in the area of prevention, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding requires constant rethinking and should be based or hinged on national ownership and respect to African resolutions. The key is the early and comprehensive implementation of Agenda 2030.

10. The Group recalls that African countries have taken numerous and significant steps to address peace and security challenges at national and regional levels. Despite the progress in the areas of security, the international community and partners must continue to support activities and initiatives in order to strengthen African efforts in addressing the continent’s peace and security. To prevent and resolve conflict at the earliest stage, the Group stresses on the need for the UN system to support the efforts of African countries to achieve sustainable and durable peace in Africa.

I thank you.