DR Congo

Mr. President of the General Assembly of the United Nations,

It is with immense honor that I address you today, for the first time since the Congolese people renewed their trust in me by electing me for a second term at the head of our nation. Having had the opportunity to speak before you in the past, I am particularly moved to be able to do so again at this significant moment for our country.

I wish to congratulate you, Mr. Philémon Yang, on your election to the presidency of this 79th Session, and I also pay tribute to your predecessors for their constant commitment to the service of this institution.

The theme of this session, "Leaving no one behind: acting together to advance peace, sustainable development, and human dignity for future generations," resonates particularly with our aspirations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Mr. President, Mr. Secretary-General of the United Nations, Excellencies Heads of State and Government, Excellencies Heads of Delegation,

Multilateralism and respect for a rules-based global system have been essential pillars supporting peace, security, health, and prosperity throughout the world for nearly eighty years. The United Nations embodies these fundamental values and remains an indispensable actor in the face of the major challenges humanity must overcome: whether ensuring security, controlling climate change, or fighting poverty. This reality requires strengthened multilateral cooperation.

However, the noble ideal of the drafters of the Charter of the United Nations — that of serving as an instrument through which all countries regulate their behavior — seems to be fading. The foundation of collective security that it established is faltering.

We have a responsibility to combine our efforts and reaffirm our commitment to multilateralism, which is the key to truly transformative solutions to the challenges eating away at our world.

As Dag Hammarskjöld, former Secretary-General of the UN, whose sacrifice for peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo reminds us of the gravity of our mission, so aptly expressed, I quote: "The United Nations was not created to bring humanity to heaven, but to save it from hell," end of quote. In this critical period, multilateralism takes on crucial importance. It makes it possible to respond to common threats, protect our planet, and strengthen civil society as well as human rights.

Indeed, we cannot ignore the alarming rise of bellicose rhetoric and the shameless resurgence of practices of armed aggression and plundering of natural resources, affecting all continents. The persisting Russian-Ukrainian conflict, which continues to affect the region, is only one manifestation among many others that threaten peace in the world. Yemen, Sudan, Syria, or again the terrible tragedy unfolding in the Gaza Strip are part of the set of issues for which multilateralism would fully play its role.

It is imperative to act together to advance toward peace, sustainable development, and human dignity, thereby guaranteeing a better future for generations to come. Let us leave no one behind. This is the clear and relevant message that inspires the theme selected to guide the work of the 79th Session of this illustrious Assembly.

Mr. President,

The "Pact for the Future" and its annexes — the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations — which we adopted at the recent Summit of the Future, underscore the importance of active collaboration to achieve a shared vision of a peaceful and prosperous future. These documents represent an essential commitment to ending conflicts, fighting extreme poverty and hunger, and addressing challenges such as population displacement, illegal immigration, food insecurity, pandemics, and the risks of new technologies.

At the same time, the Global Digital Compact stands as an essential pillar in our quest for a prosperous future, at the heart of the fourth industrial revolution, where digital technologies have become indispensable. This digital transformation represents an unprecedented opportunity to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, particularly for the least developed countries. It aims to reduce the digital divide and integrate unconnected populations into digital services with high social impact.

However, to meet this major challenge inherent to the digital revolution, global reforms are needed, involving a reassessment of the international financial architecture and adequate financing.

This is why the Democratic Republic of the Congo aspires to attract investments to develop connectivity in Africa and calls for the cooperation of multilateral partners and telecommunications operators, with knowledge transfer as a key component.

Indeed, support for the process of building the country's network is a promising solution for connecting the South and North of Africa, as well as linking the Indian Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean. This includes forming viable partnerships around the Grand Inga hydroelectric project, which aims to meet our continent's growing energy demand, exacerbated by the proliferation of connected devices. Moreover, it is essential to strengthen the traceability of strategic minerals, indispensable for technological equipment, in order to ensure responsible and sustainable exploitation of our resources.

Furthermore, the full participation and engagement of young people, both girls and boys, are also paramount for building a sustainable and inclusive society. This principle is the foundation of the Declaration on Future Generations, underscoring our responsibility toward generations to come and the importance of decisions that guarantee their flourishing. For Africa, its youth represent a major asset for its future prosperity. Investing in education, particularly in the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), and creating environments conducive to innovation is crucial. It is essential to address the disconnect between a rapidly growing young population and the labor market by providing the skills necessary for their integration.

Mr. President,

The situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is particularly worrying. The resurgence of the M23 terrorist group, supported by Rwanda, has caused an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, with nearly 7 million internally displaced persons. This aggression constitutes a major violation of our national sovereignty. We call on the international community to firmly condemn these acts and to impose targeted sanctions against Rwanda for its destabilizing role.

We demand the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Rwandan troops from our territory. While recent diplomatic initiatives, such as the Luanda talks, are encouraging, they must in no way obscure the urgency of this essential action.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is actively committed to establishing lasting peace in the eastern part of the country and to promoting economic development as well as the social well-being of communities devastated by this armed conflict. It does not, however, close the door to any opportunity that would lead it to this peace while not compromising its sovereignty, still less its territorial integrity. With this in mind, it is resolutely committed to implementing the roadmap adopted within the framework of the Luanda process, which I firmly support, which promotes high-level dialogue aimed at restoring trust between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, while minimizing the risk that the current security crisis might degenerate into a regional conflict. Furthermore, my country remains open to any other initiative from our partners that would contribute to achieving this noble goal of peace.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo reaffirms its firm determination to guarantee lasting peace. Under my leadership, we are resolved to continue implementing the Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization Program, the P-DDRCS, key to our national strategy to disarm, demobilize, and reintegrate combatants, offering them viable and sustainable economic prospects, while stabilizing areas affected by conflict. In ensuring a post-MONUSCO transition, we are also prioritizing the repatriation of foreign combatants. The P-DDRCS is a crucial lever for peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and I invite our partners and friends to support it.

Moreover, thousands of victims of genocide for economic gain in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (abbreviated GENOCOST) continue to suffer the devastating consequences of a past marked by violence and impunity. Recognizing and addressing the effects of this tragedy is crucial to fostering the recovery and reconstruction of affected communities.

Beyond immediate humanitarian aid, a long-term approach centered on justice, reconciliation, and sustainable development is essential to enable victims to rebuild themselves and regain a dignified life.

This is why the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has decided to institutionalize August 2nd, GENOCOST Day, dedicated to the victims of the heinous crimes perpetrated by rebels supported by multinational corporations and states in the region. This day embodies a national communion, allowing us to confront a painful past in order to move forward.

It is essential for strengthening our country's historical awareness and affirming the nation's determination to prevent the repetition of such atrocities.

Mr. President,

Terrorism constitutes a serious threat to international peace and security, affecting all regions of the world. Having ravaged Asia, Western Europe, and North America, this scourge now seems to be taking root in Africa.

As a member of the global coalition against the Islamic State, the Democratic Republic of the Congo urges the United Nations to intensify its actions to implement the recommendations of this organization, particularly within the framework of the Aqaba process.

Terrorism, which rages in the eastern part of our country, is closely linked to the plundering and illegal exploitation of our natural resources. These criminal activities fuel insecurity and finance armed groups, exacerbating conflicts in the Great Lakes region. Therefore, it is imperative that the United Nations consider severe sanctions against the actors responsible for these economic crimes, in order to break this vicious cycle and foster peace, sustainable development, and human dignity for future generations.

Mr. President,

According to the latest Voluntary National Review Report on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has made significant progress toward several SDG targets thanks to major reforms and interventions.

Since 2019, the government has implemented an ambitious reform to ensure free basic education, enabling nearly 4 million children to enroll in school.

In addition, several measures have been taken to strengthen social protection, introduce Universal Health Coverage, and promote gender equality, as well as to foster infrastructure development and rapid industrialization, notably through the creation of Special Economic Zones.

Despite this progress, the Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Report underscores that at the current rate, the Democratic Republic of the Congo will not be able to achieve the SDGs by 2030, due to persistent inequalities and vulnerability exacerbated by armed conflict.

Faced with this challenge, a roadmap comprising specific actions, interventions, and reforms has been developed to accelerate progress and address the challenges of the 2030 Agenda, with certain measures already implemented to bring the DRC in line with the SDGs by 2030. To this end, the Democratic Republic of the Congo requires annual investments of approximately 32 billion dollars. It is therefore essential to strengthen partnerships for sustainable investments and to promote peace in order to enable stable socio-economic development.

Regarding global responses to climate challenges and the promotion of renewable energy, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has already affirmed its commitment to ambitious climate action, underscores the crucial importance of increased financial and technical support to strengthen its efforts to achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

Rich in biodiversity and natural resources, the DRC is positioning itself as a key player in the fight against climate change. The initiatives undertaken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions focus on four strategic sectors: agriculture, forestry, energy, and waste management. Structural reforms are currently being put in place to reverse deforestation and improve access to clean energy, thereby demonstrating the government's determined commitment to preserving natural resources and to the ecological transition.

Regarding the valorization of tropical forests, a major turning point was reached in Bali in November 2022 with the adoption of the Joint Declaration on Cooperation on Tropical Forests and Climate Action, signed by Brazil, Indonesia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

This advance demonstrates a collective political will to use forests as a lever for sustainable development. The Trilateral Alliance for Cooperation on Tropical Forests, created on this occasion, will provide a framework for addressing challenges related to biodiversity and will propose solutions for carbon credit markets, while ensuring respect for the rights of indigenous peoples.

Furthermore, within the framework of environmental and global warming issues, it is essential to highlight the holding of the second Summit of the World's Three Great Tropical Forest Basins, namely the Amazon, the Congo, and Borneo-Mekong, which took place from October 26 to 28, 2023, in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo.

This African initiative, led by President Denis Sassou Nguesso, aims to implement, within the framework of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, the first global coalition dedicated to restoring 350 million hectares of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

These forests constitute an indispensable bulwark against climate change. Faced with clearly identified problems and solutions within reach, it is crucial to act concretely. The Amazon, Congo, and Borneo-Mekong basins are home to more than 80% of tropical forests and play a crucial role in the fight against climate change, while providing vital ecosystem services. It is therefore imperative that improving the socio-economic conditions of local communities, who play a key role in preserving these forests, be placed at the center of global governance priorities.

For its part, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is putting in place legal instruments and institutional mechanisms aimed at strengthening its position in the global carbon market, while remaining open to partnerships in compliance with the Paris Agreement and its domestic laws.

The growing awareness of the challenges related to climate instability and the depletion of natural resources, often at the root of armed conflicts, underscores the urgency of acting on these issues.

It is therefore essential to recognize the link between climate change, environmental degradation, and security, in order to foster proactive actions that mitigate these risks through sustainable practices. In this regard, we call on the Security Council to establish international mechanisms integrating climate security issues into their discussions.

Mr. President,

The world faces a major energy challenge. Systems based on fossil fuels are responsible for significant greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate change. Without concerted efforts to promote renewable energy, we risk facing more serious crises, such as extreme weather conditions and conflicts linked to natural resources, as we are already observing.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has abundant resources, including essential minerals such as cobalt, lithium, nickel, and graphite, which can facilitate a sustainable energy transition.

We call for international cooperation to develop the necessary technologies and infrastructure. Our vision is to transform the exploitation of our resources into a lever for sustainable and inclusive development, while improving education, health, and infrastructure. Social inclusion is at the center of our strategy, ensuring an equitable distribution of the benefits of progress.

By investing in the fight against climate change and contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is ready to play a key role in the transformation of global energy systems.

Together, we can build a future where energy is clean, sustainable, and accessible to all.

Mr. President,

I would also like to address the crucial issue of gender parity.

Although equal participation of women and men in political life is internationally recognized, there remains, in practice, a gap between legal equality and the reality of the exercise of power. Women's concerns deserve to be integrated into the major decisions that affect our society.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we are determined to change mindsets in order to overcome the societal barriers that hinder the advancement of women. It is essential to involve men in this process in order to transform the social dynamic and highlight their role in women's success.

At the national level, the Congolese Constitution enshrines parity. The government has also put in place a strategy to combat gender-based violence, focused on prevention, protection, and reparation for victims. This strategy is embodied in the National Reparations Fund for Victims of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence and Crimes against Peace and the Security of Humanity (FONAREV). Ongoing legislation aims to guarantee this protection.

It is worth highlighting the significant progress made in women's participation in decision-making, with the appointment, for the first time in our history, of a woman as Prime Minister and Head of Government.

We are also seeing an increased presence of women in government bodies as well as in Parliament and the judicial system, illustrated by the appointment of women to the position of First President of the Council of State and to the head of the Central Bank of Congo.

Mr. President of the General Assembly of the United Nations, Mr. Secretary-General of the United Nations, Excellencies Heads of State and Government, Excellencies Heads of Delegation, Mr. President,

In this momentum of progress, it is imperative that the international community, under the auspices of the United Nations, continue to support these dynamics by reinventing itself in the face of the challenges of today's world.

To maintain the trust of the international community, the United Nations must prove its capacity to adapt to contemporary developments and overcome them in an effective and responsible manner.

It is imperative to reinvigorate multilateralism through targeted reforms of the Charter of the United Nations, addressing key issues such as the Security Council, the right of veto, Chapter VII, and the use of force.

Nevertheless, this will not be enough. Coordination and cooperation among the various United Nations institutions and agencies must also be strengthened. Many global issues are often addressed redundantly in different forums, sometimes from contradictory angles, while other problems remain entirely neglected, with each international bureaucracy seeking to defend its own existence.

In this regard, while welcoming the support of the United States, I firmly reiterate, on behalf of all African countries, the request for the creation of two permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council for African countries. As the main decision-making body within the UN, this organ must include African representatives among its permanent members with all the prerogatives recognized to them, notably the right of veto, to guarantee fair geographical representation.

This is a matter of justice for a continent whose role in international affairs continues to grow. We, Africans, hold this demand with the greatest determination.

Finally, I cannot conclude without recalling that after more than three decades of absence from the Security Council, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is once again a candidate, supported by the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), for the position of non-permanent member for the 2026-2027 term, in the elections to be held in New York in June 2025.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has already held this position between 1982-1983 and 1990-1991, periods during which it worked to promote peace, security, and stability in Africa and throughout the world.

Once elected, the Democratic Republic of the Congo intends to play a proactive role within the Security Council, participating in the revitalization of the Charter of the United Nations and contributing constructively to the debates and actions that stem from it. My country therefore requests the support of all Member States for its election.

In these times when multilateralism is being put to the test, the Democratic Republic of the Congo reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the international community, ready to assume with honor and responsibility the mission of forging a future in which cooperation and peace prevail over conflict and division.

Nelson Mandela said, and I quote: "None of us acting alone can achieve success." End of quote. Thus, we extend our hand to each of you, longtime partners and new allies, to write together this crucial chapter of our collective history. Together, let us make our world a place where every nation, large or small, can prosper in dignity and security.

Thank you.