Post-conflict states 'need special help'

Support for a transition from peacekeeping to peacebuilding in countries emerging from conflict is essential for national reconstruction, a Chinese envoy to the United Nations told diplomats on Wednesday at a Security Council ministerial open debate on peacekeeping.

Countries coming out of a conflict often see their infrastructure in ruins but, in addition to rebuilding, they also need to work on securing peace, said Dai Bing, charge d'affaires of China's permanent mission to the UN.

However, post-conflict countries, due to their vulnerability and fragility, are hardly capable of independent development during that transitional phase, the envoy said. The UN and the international community should take on the responsibility of providing targeted support to those countries, so as to improve their self-driven development capability, he said.

Political and social stability hinge on steady economic development, Dai said. The transition strategy of peacekeeping operations, or PKOs, should prioritize such key sectors as infrastructure, agriculture, resources utilization, accessibility of education and poverty eradication. These are "all important conditions for the long-term peace and stability of the country", he said.

"What transpired recently in Afghanistan is proof that the 'democratic transformation' imposed from the outside will inevitably end in failure," Dai said.

The envoy stressed that the international community and the UN should "identify lessons learned" from experiences in Afghanistan and continue to provide "effective and strong support" to post-conflict countries such as Afghanistan in their reconstruction efforts.

Dai also underscored the importance of formulating transition strategies that are "in line with local conditions".

Sovereignty-related tasks

Post-conflict transition involves the rebuilding of state institutions, national reconciliation and security－sector reform, he said. These tasks are related to national sovereignty and cannot be separated from the specific political, economic and cultural conditions of the countries concerned.

"In designing the transition plan of the UN PKOs, we should fully heed and respect the wishes of the country so as to ensure convergence and complementarity with the national development strategies and priorities independently formulated and determined by the countries themselves," he said.

"It is also essential to make timely adjustments in light of the evolving situation on the ground in these countries," he added.

Dai said the overall planning of peacekeeping operations must be optimized. "PKOs should always follow the political goals, and on the basis of the evolution of the situation, make timely adjustments in terms of the scope of mandates and prioritization," he said.

Protection of civilians, protection of human rights and transitional justice are all means to serve the political process, he said. They cannot replace the political process itself.

At the early stage of peacekeeping deployment, the Security Council should incorporate relevant ideas of peacebuilding and strive to lay the foundations for the long-term peace and stability in the countries concerned, Dai said.

As the situation gradually stabilizes, a clear and feasible exit strategy needs to be formulated, as that is an important element in promoting a smooth transition, he said.

Dai noted that for many years, China has actively supported post－conflict countries, especially developing countries, and helped them improve their independent development capacity.

"China stands ready to work with the international community to continue its positive contribution in helping post-conflict countries achieve lasting peace and sustainable development," he said.