21 January 2025
President,
I thank Algeria for its initiative in organizing this important meeting. I welcome Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf to New York presiding over this meeting. I thank Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, Commissioner Bankole Adeoye, and Senior Advisor Said Djinnit for their briefings.
In recent years, global terrorism is making a comeback at an accelerated pace. The intensification of conflicts, political instability, and continued economic downturn in some African countries gave terrorist forces in the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, and Lake Chad a chance to stir up trouble. The shadow of terrorism is cast over this vibrant and promising land of Africa. This meeting, focusing on counter-terrorism in Africa is very timely and very necessary. China appreciates the efforts made by African countries in combating terrorism. Helping Africa maintain peace and stability is a priority of China’s cooperation with African countries. China would like to work with the international community and jointly help Africa meet the challenges posed by terrorism. I would like to emphasize the following points.
First, we must insist on zero tolerance for terrorism. In the Pact for the Future adopted by all countries, we commit ourselves to pursuing a future without terrorism. Sadly, in the first three quarters of last year alone, more than 8,000 civilians lost their lives to terrorist attacks in Africa. Not long ago, serious terrorist attacks took place in Benin and other countries. Some African terrorist organizations are increasingly colluding with those in other regions, creating a cross-regional threat. It needs to be emphasized that whatever banner the terrorist organizations are under, and whether they are in Africa or anywhere else, they should be firmly opposed and resolutely combated. Double standards on counter-terrorism, selective counter-terrorism, and even using terrorist forces as a tool for geopolitical self-interest will eventually backfire.
Second, we must enhance the counter-terrorism capacity of African countries. Insufficient counter-terrorism capacity is a problem faced by many African countries. The international community should increase its support in equipment, intelligence, human resources, and logistics, so as to enhance the counter-terrorism capacity of African countries. The UN and its partners should strengthen cooperation with regional organizations such as the AU and ECOWAS, and support Africa in strengthening its counter-terrorism institutions and carrying out more counter-terrorism cooperation projects. The shortage of funds is the biggest counter-terrorism challenge in Africa. We call on traditional donors to increase their input to support African countries’ counter-terrorism efforts. We welcome the Council’s authorization to fund the AU Mission in Somalia according to resolution 2719, so as to support the Mission in containing Al-Shabaab and other terrorist forces.
Third, we must help Africa eliminate the root causes of terrorism. Many African countries have prominent advantages in human and natural resources. Due to colonial plundering and other historical reasons, however, they have long been at the low end of the global value chain and are deeply trapped in poverty. This provides a breeding ground for terrorism. China firmly believes that Africa is a continent of promise and a land for development. The international community should support Africa in advancing the AU Agenda 2063, prioritize development in cooperation with Africa, and help Africa develop its economy, eradicate poverty, and improve livelihoods. Special attention must be paid to providing African youth with education and employment opportunities, so that they will become a positive agent for change and not be incited or recruited by terrorist organizations.
Fourth, we must make good use of emerging technologies to support African countries in countering terrorism. Emerging technologies are on the rise. They are a double-edged sword that can benefit mankind, but is also subject to abuse. All parties should strengthen the regulation of emerging technologies to ensure that sensitive technologies do not fall into the hands of terrorists. Technologies such as AI, big data, and drones have become important tools for counter-terrorism operations. They can help strengthen intelligence gathering and enhance analytical and processing capabilities, timely identify potential terrorist threats, track terrorists, combat terrorist financing networks, and enhance detection, surveillance, and remote strike capabilities. International partners should help Africa cross the technological divide and make good use of modern technology to enhance the effectiveness of counter-terrorism.
President,
China and Africa are an all-weather community with a shared future for the new era, and an important force leading the Global South in solidarity and cooperation. At the beginning of the new year, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi once again visited African countries, maintaining a 35-consecutive-year tradition that the Chinese Foreign Minister visits Africa on his first overseas trip at the start of the year. This proves once again that China is Africa’s most credible friend and partner. China will continue to implement the 10 partnership initiatives, especially the partnership initiative for common security, as announced by President Xi Jinping at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation last September. China will strengthen its cooperation with Africa in the area of peace and security and support Africa in scaling up its counter-terrorism capacity. China will implement the one billion yuan grant of military assistance to Africa, continue to support the building of an African standby force and rapid response force, help African countries train military talents and police and law enforcement personnel, and support African countries in carrying out peacekeeping and counter-terrorism operations. We would like to share with Africa advanced technology and experience in the field of counter-terrorism and provide expertise and support to the African center for the study and research on terrorism in Algiers, and carry out more counter-terrorism projects using the China-UN Peace and Development Trust Fund. China will work with African partners to make good use of the 360 billion yuan credit line of funding support announced at the FOCAC Beijing Summit to help African countries develop their economies, eliminate the root causes of insecurity, and achieve long-term peace and security through development and revitalization. China is ready to work with all countries to continue to make positive contributions to effectively address the threat of global terrorism and realize a world of lasting peace and universal security.
Thank you, President.