UNITED NATIONS - The international community should bolster support for the Great Lakes region to reinforce solidarity and cooperation towards a shared future:The international community should bolster support for the Great Lakes region to reinforce solidarity and cooperation towards a shared future, urged Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, during a UN Security Council briefing on the Great Lakes region on Tuesday. According to Namibia Press Agency, Fu highlighted the proactive efforts of these countries in pursuing peace, security, and development which have injected new momentum into the revitalization of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the region. Despite these efforts, Fu noted that the region continues to grapple with significant challenges including ongoing violent conflicts and a severe humanitarian crisis. Fu advocated for regional countries to deepen dialogue and reconciliation and to commit to peaceful c oexistence. He emphasized the importance of collaborating to tackle challenges, maintain security collectively, and mitigate the humanitarian crisis to foster common development. The ambassador stressed the mutual benefits of resolving differences through dialogue and consultation and promoting good neighborliness, which he described as serving the long-term and fundamental interests of all regional nations. "China reaffirms its support for the DRC's efforts to safeguard its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national security, and is ready to continue our positive role to promote peace and stability in the region," Fu stated. He praised the regional efforts to combat armed groups and enhance border and defense cooperation. He commended the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) for its role in actively protecting civilians. Fu urged all armed groups in the region to adhere to the ceasefire agreement, cease violence, and maintain de-escalatio n momentum. He called for all parties to respect their obligations under the Luanda and Nairobi processes and to avoid supporting any armed groups. Highlighting the significant displacement in the DRC and Sudan due to prolonged conflicts, the spread of the mpox epidemic, and severe food issues, Fu appealed to the international community, particularly developed countries, to fulfill their aid commitments and address the humanitarian emergency funding gap urgently. This, he argued, would facilitate the return of more refugees to their homes. Furthermore, Fu urged global support for the legitimate exploitation of natural resources by regional countries to improve people's livelihoods and for increased technology transfer to boost the independent development capacity of regional nations, thereby eliminating the conditions that fuel recurring conflicts. "As a staunch supporter and partner of Africa in its journey toward modernization, China is ready to collaborate with the international community to contribute more significantly to the enduring peace, development, and prosperity of the Great Lakes region," concluded Fu.