At the council’s meeting in New York on November 5, Ambassador Le Luong Minh said that all parties in the African nation should “foster dialogue and reconciliation, and jointly shoulder the national agenda of peace, security and socio-economic development”.

He voiced support for the role being played by the UN, including the Peace-building Commission, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the AU, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the international community at large to support Guinea Bissau in overcoming the current difficulties and maximising its potential in the process of peace-building, reconciliation and integration.

“We commend the efforts of the UN agencies to ensure a smooth transition process from UN Peace-building support office in Guinea-Bissau (UNOGBIS) and effect the establishment of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOBGIS) in accordance with Security Council Resolution 1876 (2009)”.

“We are confident that the future work of the UN system in Guinea Bissau will be optimally defined and strengthened on the basis of the local conditions and the close consultations with the Government of Guinea Bissau and other regional stakeholders, with due respect for the political independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guinea,” he concluded.

The UNSC meeting passed a Presidential Statement, welcoming the success of recent presidential elections in Guinea Bissau and highlighting challenges, such as drug-related and organised crimes. The statement also supports the process of establishing the UNIOGBIS from January 1, 2010 in an effort to contribute to Guinea Bissau’s reconstruction and development.