Africa peacekeeping talks start

United Nations SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres called on the international community to strengthen cooperation and boost its commitment to peacekeeping during an open debate at the Security Council on Tuesday in New York.

“Peacekeeping is a remarkable exercise in global solidarity. UN peacekeepers are ready to pay the ultimate price for peace, and we are all in their debt,” Guterres said.

He spoke during a debate on strengthening peacekeeping operations in Africa, initiated by China as rotating president of the council for the month of November.

“Africa is a continent full of dynamism and promise,” said Ma Zhaoxu, China’s permanent representative to the UN. “The African Union and (African) countries are important forces for the maintenance of world peace and regional stability.

“China initiated this open debate on peacekeeping operations in Africa to increase the international community’s attention to, and input in, the course of peace and security in Africa, and effectively assisted the AU and African countries in bolstering the capability to build peace and security,” he said.

Guterres thanked China for convening the debate and for “China’s contributions to UN peacekeeping operations in Africa and around the world”.

“Some 2,500 uniformed Chinese personnel, including welltrained and equipped police units, are making an important contribution to multilateral efforts for peace,” he said.

“I welcome President Xi Jinping’s pledge to establish a peacekeeping standby force, and I hope it builds on the 13 units that have already been registered,” he added.