Mr. President,

I have the honour to introduce, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, the draft resolution on the "Causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa", contained in document A/67/L.59/Rev.1, under Agenda item 63 (b).

The G77 and China would like to thank all delegations for their constructive contribution to this draft resolution. The Group also conveys its appreciation to member states that have co-sponsored the draft resolution.

Mr. President,

At the outset, we commend African countries, the African Union and sub-regional organizations on the progress they continue to make in conflict prevention and resolution, peacekeeping, peacebuilding and development.

While recognizing that the primary responsibility for peace, security and development in Africa lies with African countries, we stress the need for support from the United Nations system and partners in order to harness Africa's vast opportunities and effectively address its challenges with a view to making further progress towards the goal of a conflict-free Africa and achieving sustainable development. In this regard, particular attention needs to be put on addressing the challenges of eradicating poverty and unemployment especially among the youth.

We welcome African-led initiatives to strengthen political, economic and corporate governance, such as the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance and the African Peer Review Mechanism. We call upon the United Nations system and Member States to assist African countries and regional and sub-regional organizations upon their request, in their ongoing efforts to promote constitutional order and rule of law, enhance good governance, continue to fight against impunity, and in the holding of free, fair, inclusive and transparent elections.

Mr. President,

We further call upon the United Nations system and invite Member States to assist African countries emerging from conflict upon their request as appropriate, in their efforts to build national capacities, including through national security sector reform strategies, delivery of basic public services, providing for the safe return of internally displaced persons and refugees, and launching income-generation activities, particularly for the youth and women.

We recognize the need for African countries to make continued efforts to create enabling environments for inclusive and sustained economic growth and development, and for the international community to continue efforts to increase the flow of new and additional resources for financing for development from all sources, public and private, domestic and foreign, to support the development efforts of African countries.

Mr. President,

Finally, we call upon the United Nations system and Member States, bilateral and multilateral partners, to deliver expeditiously on their commitments and to ensure the full and speedy implementation of the provisions of the political declaration on Africa's development needs.

The G77 and China looks forward to the adoption of this draft resolution by acclamation.

I thank you for your attention.