UN Resident Coordinator in China hosts a dinner with Ambassadors from 25 embassies in Beijing

Excellencies,

I thank Mr. Siddharth Chatterjee, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in China, for his kind invitation to partake in this evening's gathering. 

It is indeed heartening to witness the assembly of such a varied and distinguished group of Ambassadors, which speaks volumes of the widespread support for the multilateral framework, a cause deeply cherished by our gracious host.

In my capacity as the Ambassador of Cameroon and the Dean of the Ambassadorial Corps in China, it has been my privilege to engage in close cooperation with the United Nations entities active in China through various collaborative endeavours spanning recent years.

Allow me to extend my heartfelt praise to Mr. Chatterjee for his unwavering dedication, energy and enthusiasm in steering the United Nations presence in China towards greater alignment with the reforms of the UN development system initiated by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, His Excellency António Guterres, to ensure the organization remains equipped and responsive to our contemporary challenges.

Since his commencement of duty in 2021, Mr. Chatterjee has been diligent in convening us with regular updates, providing insightful briefings on the strides and advancements achieved under the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for China in the period of 2021-2025. 

Excellencies,

We are witnessing a rise in poverty, hunger, and discrepancies in areas such as health, education, and gender. The escalating issues of climate change, conflict, and growing geopolitical strife present additional obstacles in our pursuit of peace and prosperity.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by all Member States in 2015, continue to symbolize our roadmap toward a more promising future. We greatly appreciate our cooperative endeavours with the United Nations system in China, as it has been instrumental as a convenor, connector and catalyser in highlighting these challenges and their solutions. 

Presently, the amount of development aid is inadequate for building infrastructure and sustaining lives and livelihoods throughout the African continent. African nations continue to have too little say in global governance forums.

We endorse the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office in China's Transformative Partnerships Initiative, centring on Africa and fostering South-South cooperation. We recognize the proactive efforts of the UN and, amid a worldwide crisis, its significance has never been greater. 

I commend the United Nations' engagement with the Chinese Government on the Global Development Initiative. The Global Development Initiative can serve as a vital impetus in hastening progress towards the SDGs.

Looking forward, the Summit of the Future, to be held at the United Nations General Assembly this September, is a pivotal event which must get the full support of the international community.

Thank you my brother Sid for this kind invitation.