Congolese President, Félix Tshisekedi, is in Davos for the World Economic Forum (WEF). He arrived in Switzerland on January 20 with his ministers of foreign affairs, environment, finance, and mines.
The Congolese Presidency said Tshisekedi should announce a major project at the forum. The source added that the project aimed to fight climate change and preserve biodiversity in his country.
Tomorrow, the Congolese leader will participate in a panel discussion focused on protecting the Congo forest basin, recognized as the world's largest lung. He will be with John Kerry, former U.S. Secretary of State and current Special Envoy for Climate Change under President Biden. Kerry, who co-chairs Galvanize Climate Solutions a global firm dedicated to advancing climate solutions will provide an international perspective on financing options.
Another notable speaker at the event will be Jozef Sikela, European Commissioner for International Partnerships. The European Union, the United States, Japan, and Saudi Arabia reached a preliminary agreement to secure supplies of minerals critical to the energy transition. The DRC's vast mineral resources, estimated at nearly $24 billion, are central to these discussions. The DRC’s top partner in copper and coltan production, China, is not taking part in the talks.
The DRC’s abundant mineral reserves are critical for energy transition. However, much of the resources are in forest areas. These regions are still threatened despite environmental commitments from mining companies.
Decades of socio-political instability make it hard for the DRC to attract international financing. Labeled as a high-risk debtor, the country recently secured a limited $1 billion commitment from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), accompanied by relatively challenging conditions. President Tshisekedi's proposals at Davos will be crucial for advancing his nation’s interests and securing necessary support during the summit.
This article was initially published in French by Georges Auréole Bamba
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
