Chinese UN envoy urges elimination of root causes of conflicts

A Chinese envoy on Monday called for more investment in development to eliminate the root causes of conflicts, and more efforts in peace-building so as to prevent turbulence relapse in post-conflict countries.

Liu Jieyi, China's permanent representative to the UN, made the remarks at an open debate of the Security Council on "inclusive development for the maintenance of international peace and security."

"Poverty and underdevelopment are often the major causes of conflicts, crisis and terrorism," he said, calling on the international community, particularly the UN, to attach more importance to the advancement of international development agenda.

"Developing countries constrained by historical factors and conditions of development are faced with daunting challenges in economic development in social progress," said Liu, urging developed countries to further assist developing countries in debt relief, market openness, and technology transfer.

In post-conflict countries and regions, the envoy continued, the international community should place reconstruction in all development, political and security areas, with special attention given to the promotion of coordinated economic and social development.

"The governing ability of countries involved needs to be effectively strengthened, and their ability of providing basic services enhanced, so that development and reconstruction will be advanced in all sectors," Liu said.

Meanwhile, the ambassador pointed out that attentions should also be given to youth employment, and woman empowerment, so that the public will enjoy the peace dividend at an early date.

"This is conducive to the stabilization of post-conflict situation, the promotion of political reconciliation and the consolidation of existing peace," he said.

In addition, Liu focused on African countries by citing that 70 percent of items on the Security Council's agenda are related to Africa and two thirds of peace-keeping operations are deployed in the continent.

"Without peace and development in Africa, prosperity and stability of the world would be impossible to be achieved," he stressed. "We should focus on the issues of underdevelopment and insufficient infrastructure faced by Africa, effectively help Africa translate abundant human and natural resources into power for economic development and substantive benefits for the African people."

Liu also expressed China's will to continue to participate constructively in the resolution of hotspot issues in Africa, and help African people eradicate the root causes of conflicts and achieve sustained peace and development. Endi