Some of the SOS Children's Village in Kakiri perform a dance during the launch ceremony of a satellite TV project in Wakiso District, Uganda, July 20, 2018. China and the Ugandan government on Friday launched a satellite television (TV) project in the central Ugandan district of Wakiso that will benefit over 500 villages. (Xinhua/Joseph Kiggundu)
Zhang Jun said the root causes of the problems in the region lie in poverty and underdevelopment, and the way out is sustainable development.
UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Thursday called on the international community to increase assistance and investment in countries in Africa's Great Lakes Region in fields such as interconnectivity, medical care and education.
At a UN Security Council meeting on Great Lakes Region, China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Zhang Jun said the root causes of the problems in the region lie in poverty and underdevelopment, and the way out is sustainable development.
Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai (2nd R) interacts with Burundian refugees at the Mahama Refugees Camp in Kirehe, eastern Rwanda, July 14, 2016. (Xinhua)
Development is the master key to resolving all the problems, Zhang said, adding that great input is required and the international community should help the regional countries create jobs and improve people's livelihood.
Noting the UN Office of the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes is assisting in the preparation of Great Lakes Investment and Trade Conference scheduled for November in Rwanda, Zhang said China welcomes this move, which is believed to help attract international investment and promote cross-border trade.
The Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to Tanzania Fred Kafeero (L, front) and the Kagera Regional Commissioner Salum Kijuu (2nd,L) join small holder farmers in harvesting bio-fortified beans at Nyankere village in Kagera region, Tanzania, Jan. 23, 2018. (Xinhua)
China hopes that the office will promote stronger economic cooperation among countries in the Great Lakes Region, build up the interconnectivity of infrastructure and advance the integration process, in order to achieve sustainable economic and social development, and bring lasting peace in the region, he added.
The Great Lakes Region is located in the heart of the African continent with abundant resources, vast territories, and huge development potentials, Zhang said.
However, for a long time, the region has been plagued by strife and conflict, turbulence in security situations, lack in development and grim humanitarian picture, he said.
"Recently, thanks to the joint efforts of the international community and regional countries, the Great Lakes Region has made many positive developments in its political and security situation," Zhang said.
He called for strengthening of efforts to further build cooperation in the region as well as the Security Council support for such efforts.
Priorities should be made to cope with the humanitarian crisis, which he said includes food insecurity and epidemics, through increased aid and support for resettling displaced persons.
Children play in Nairobi River at Korogocho slums in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, Aug. 28, 2019. (Xinhua/John Okoyo)
China is ready to work with the international community to continue its contribution to the early attainment of peace, stability and development in the region, said the envoy.
"China is committed to strengthening regional capacity building for development, and providing assistance to the best of its ability in infrastructure, agriculture, medical care and health, so as to promote development and peace," he said.■
