A Chinese envoy on Tuesday reaffirmed China's firm support for African-led solutions to African problems, urging the international community to respect regional sovereignty and deliver tangible support for Central Africa's peace, security and development.
Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), made the remarks at the open meeting of the UN Security Council on Central Africa.
Addressing the meeting, Sun called on countries in the region to advance inclusive political processes, strengthen counter-terrorism coordination and cooperation, and enhance their capacity for independent development.
He stressed that the international community should fully respect the sovereignty and leadership of regional countries, support them in advancing political and peace processes through dialogue and consultation, and help improve their counter-terrorism and border control capacities.
Sun also noted that the international community, especially developed countries, should earnestly fulfill their commitments regarding development financing.
"China firmly supports African countries in pursuing African-led solutions to African problems, and stands ready to work with the rest of the international community to support regional countries in embarking on a new development path featuring self-reliance and self-strengthening, and make greater contributions to the realization of lasting peace and prosperity in Central Africa," he said.
China's UN envoy backs African-led solutions in Central Africa problems
China's UN envoy backs African-led solutions in Central Africa problems
The International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Wednesday that oil reserves in members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) had fallen by a cumulative 163 million barrels since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict, reaching their lowest level since December 1990.
According to the IEA's latest Monthly Oil Report, global observed oil stocks have fallen by an average of 3.8 million barrels per day (mb/d) since the start of the Middle East conflict, including a draw of 143 million barrels in May, mainly due to accelerated releases of emergency stocks.
The report said the memorandum of understanding due to be signed by the United States and Iran this week was an important step toward easing regional tensions and could pave the way for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and lifting the U.S. blockade on Iranian oil traffic.
The IEA forecast global oil supply to fall by an average of 3.9 mb/d in 2026 to 102.4 mb/d, before rising by 8 mb/d in 2027 to 110.3 mb/d. However, unresolved issues, including mine clearance in the Strait of Hormuz and transit arrangements, mean operational and political risks could still weigh on the pace of supply recovery.
The agency said a significant supply overhang could emerge next year. Global oil demand is projected to rise by a relatively modest 2 mb/d to 105.3 mb/d, while supply is expected to increase by about 8 mb/d to 110.3 mb/d.
The surplus could ease market pressures and allow countries to replenish depleted inventories or build strategic reserves as they reassess energy policies in response to the crisis, the IEA said.
IEA says OECD oil stocks fall to lowest since 1990
