President Félix Tshisekedi arrived in New York on September 22, 2024, to attend the United Nations General Assembly with other world leaders. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is looking forward to its election to the Human Rights Council on October 9 and is also a candidate for one of two non-permanent seats on the Security Council reserved for Africa.

During the assembly, President Tshisekedi plans to address the security situation along the DRC's eastern border, a region plagued by conflict. This insecurity not only leads to loss of life but also hampers the country's ability to attract investment for development. Some talks may also cover the AGOA summit, the U.S.'s main tool for boosting trade with Africa.

Economically, the DRC is important in the fight against climate change due to its recent discoveries of copper and cobalt, essential minerals for the global electricity economy. However, funding for the long-standing Inga 3 dam project remains uncertain, despite interest from several development banks expressed in July 2024.

Nations-Unies/Sommet de l’avenir: Mon intervention au nom de la #RDC au Dialogue interactif sur le thème: « Transformer la gouvernance mondiale et accélérer la mise en œuvre du programme de développement durable à l’horizon 2030 ». pic.twitter.com/z2lD6Z9JBv

— Eve Bazaiba (@Evebazaiba) September 22, 2024

Ahead of Tshisekedi’s speech, DRC’s Minister for the Environment Ève Bazaiba called for a reform of the global financial system to help countries like hers access funding for sustainable development. She highlighted the importance of the Congolese forest basin in global carbon capture and urged greater recognition of efforts to preserve this ecosystem.

The 79th UN General Assembly is taking place amid ongoing discussions about reforming the Security Council, a change long sought by African nations. A key agenda item will be adopting terms for international tax negotiations, an initiative strongly supported by African countries, including the DRC.

Georges Auréoles Bamba