I thank the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for organizing this second consultative meeting on development in the Sahel.

I am particularly encouraged by the high degree of ownership and political will demonstrated by Sahelian countries to foster peace, security and development in the region. Tackling the many structural challenges will also require the involvement and investment of regional and international organizations, bilateral actors and financial institutions.

The United Nations, through my newly appointed Special Envoy for the Sahel, Ms. Hiroute Guebre Sellassie, is committed to better utilize available resources by promoting collaboration and synergies with national, regional and international partners. The United Nations integrated strategy for the Sahel will therefore be implemented in partnership with ECOWAS, ECCAS the AU and other key partners.

The shared sense of responsibility and urgency which prevailed during the first meeting of the coordination platform for the Sahel last year in Bamako has inspired new initiatives, making the need for enhanced coordination all the more important. In this regard, I welcome the roadmap of the Malian Presidency for closer cooperation among all actors, which was endorsed by all the participants during the second meeting of the coordination platform two weeks ago in Bamako. The United Nations remains determined to support the implementation of the roadmap to ensure that the coordination platform serves the peoples of the Sahel effectively.

The United Nations activities in the Sahel will continue to be guided by the advice and priorities of the countries of the region to promote peace, security, human rights and development throughout the region.

Thank you.