At UN, China promotes post-pandemic recovery in Africa

China’s envoy to the United Nations spoke with members of the UN Peacebuilding Commission on Monday to promote reconstruction for post-pandemic recovery in Africa and for removing root causes of conflict on the continent.

African countries face many difficulties and challenges in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and in recovering from it, said Zhang Jun, who also is presiding over the UN Security Council in May.

“The international community should continue to provide African countries with goods and materials for them to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, help them to obtain COVID-19 vaccines, (and) strengthen their capacity to build public health and (to) respond to the pandemic in the long term,” he said.

The international community needs to deepen cooperation with African countries, invest resources in areas most needed by Africa, and form a joint force to support the continent’s development, Zhang said.

Zhang pointed out that in the pandemic, Africa is facing more peace and security challenges, and the root causes of conflict have become more prominent. It is of great significance and urgency to help African countries to improve governance, maintain social stability and achieve sustainable development.

“International organizations and UN agencies should give full play to their advantages to help African countries solve difficulties and create favorable conditions,” he said.

China will convene a UN Security Council high-level meeting “addressing root causes of conflict while promoting post-pandemic recovery in Africa” on May 19.

As the rotating council president for May, China will convene the meeting to call on the international community to pay more attention to the difficulties and challenges faced by African countries and to urge the Security Council to support them, Zhang said.

The meeting will be chaired by China’s State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

All members of the Peacebuilding Commission are invited to attend. China expects to form a joint force with the Security Council to make greater contributions to peace and development in Africa, Zhang said.

“Peacebuilding Commission and the Security Council should build a platform to cooperate and work with African countries and regional organizations to contribute to the reconstruction of Africa after the pandemic,” said Mohamed Idris, the commission chair and Egypt’s permanent representative to the UN, who led the interactive dialogue Monday.

Members of the commission said that China’s proposal to hold a Security Council high-level meeting is vital and timely and will help the international community build consensus, redeploy resources and promote actions.