(at UNAMID Khartoum Liaison Office at 15:00 on August 28, 2019)
Your Excellency Mr. Muhammad Ali, Acting Minister of Agriculture of Sudan,
Your Excellency Ambassador Jeremiah Mamabolo, UNAMID Joint Special Representative,
Your Excellency Mr. Babagana Ahmadu, FAO Representative in Sudan,
ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon.
Today, it is a great honor to speak at this important signing ceremony for the Memorandum of Understanding between the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) on the implementation of the project "strengthening local capacities to address intercommunal violence and to find sustainable solutions to its root causes in Darfur, Sudan". First of all, on behalf of the Chinese Government, I would like to extend my congratulations to UNAMID and the FAO on the successful signing of the MOU for a major project that will deliver benefits to the people of Sudan. China highly appreciates the project to be carried out in Sudan by UNAMID and the FAO of the United Nations to improve local people's livelihood.
More delightfully, this project has been funded under the UN-China Peace and Security Sub-Fund, which has financed a range of projects in 49 Asian, African and Latin American countries since its establishment as announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2015 at the UN summit, as we all know, promoting steady progress in accomplishing the goal of sustainable development and bringing benefits to these developing countries and their people.
Financing this livelihood project in Darfur is of great significance and profound effects. The root cause of the tough life local people have lived for long in Darfur region where there is a scarcity of natural resources, lies in the development problem which could be solved only through development. This is the sure way to improve local economy and livelihood. We hope this project will contribute to the construction of clinics, schools and water reservoirs in Darfur region and boost local economic and social development and progress.
Ladies and gentlemen,
At present, Sudan is confronted with dual tasks of political transition and economic transformation. We hope the international community will extend a helping hand to Sudan at this difficult moment to offer larger support and assistance. China will work unremittingly together with all other countries to contribute to promoting improvement and sustainable development of Sudan's economy and its people's well-being. And we sincerely wish Sudan a development path toward its national peace and stability and the happiness of its people at an early date.
Thank you!