Speech by the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Antonie Tshisekedi Tshilombo, at the 79th Session of the UNGA. teleSUR
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00It is an immense honour for me to speak to you today, for the first time since the Congolese
00:11people vested once again their trust in me, electing me for a second term as President
00:17of our nation. Having had the opportunity to speak to you before in the past, I'm particularly
00:25moved to be able to do it again at this significant moment for our country. I wish to congratulate
00:35Mr Philemon Young upon his election as President of this 79th session, and at the same time
00:44I wish to pay tributes to your predecessors for their constant commitment at the service
00:51of this institution. The theme of this session, Leaving No One Behind, Acting Together for
00:59the Advancement of Peace, Sustainable Development and Human Dignity for Present and Future Generations,
01:06is a theme that particularly resonates with our aspirations in the Democratic Republic
01:12of Congo. Mr President, United Nations Secretary General, Heads of State and Government, and
01:22Heads of Delegation, multilateralism and the respect for a global rules-based system have
01:36been the essential pillars that have supported peace, security, health and prosperity the
01:43world over, over the last 80 years. The United Nations embodies the fundamental values of
01:52the United Nations and remains an essential actor when it comes to the major challenges
02:00that humanity must overcome, whether it comes to guaranteeing security or addressing climate
02:09change or fighting against poverty. This reality requires strengthened multilateral cooperation,
02:21however the noble ideals of those that drafted the United Nations Charter, that is for it
02:28to serve as an instrument by which all countries govern their conduct, seems to be ebbing away
02:35and the basis of collective security that it established is shaking. We have a responsibility
02:43to pull our efforts and to reaffirm our commitment to multilateralism, which is the key for truly
02:51transformational solutions in response to the challenges that we see across our worlds.
03:00As Dag Hammarskjöld, former United Nations Secretary General, whose sacrifice for peace
03:07in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which recalls how grave our mission is, so eloquently
03:14said and I quote, the goal of the UN is not to take us to heaven but rather to prevent
03:20us from going to hell. At this critical juncture for multilateralism, multilateralism is of
03:30the utmost importance. It allows us to respond to common threats, to protect our planet and
03:39to strengthen civil society and human rights. Indeed, we cannot ignore the alarming rise
03:47in sabre rattling and the indecent resumption of practices of armed aggression and looting
03:56of natural resources which affect all continents. The Russia-Ukraine conflict that is ongoing
04:05and continues to affect the region is simply yet another manifestation among many others
04:12that threaten peace in the world. Yemen, Sudan, Syria and the terrible tragedy unfolding on
04:21the Gaza Strip are part of the list of crises multilateralism needs to address. It is essential
04:29to act together to progress towards peace, sustainable development and human dignity,
04:37thereby ensuring a better future for future generations. Let us not leave anybody by the
04:46wayside. This is the clear and relevant message that's inspired the theme selected to guide
04:54the work of this 79th session of this August assembly. Mr. President, the pact for the
05:02future and its annexes, that is the global digital compacts and the declaration on future
05:10generations that we adopted during the recent summit of the future, highlight the importance
05:17of active collaboration to achieve a common vision of a peaceful and prosperous future.
05:24These documents represent an essential commitment to put an end to conflicts, to tackle extreme
05:32poverty and hunger and to address challenges such as displacement of populations, illegal
05:39immigration, food insecurity, pandemics and the risks associated with new technology.
05:47At the same time, the global digital compact is an essential pillar, part of our quest
05:56for a prosperous future and is at the heart of the fourth industrial revolution where
06:01digital technologies have become essential. This digital transition is an unprecedented
06:09opportunity to achieve the sustainable development goals by 2030, in particular for the least
06:17developed countries. It seems to reduce the digital gap and to onboard unconnected populations
06:28with digital services with a high social impact. However, in order to address this major challenge
06:35inherent to the digital revolution, global reforms are required involving a reassessment
06:43of the international financial architecture and involving adequate financing. For this
06:49reason, the Democratic Republic of Congo aspires to attract investment to develop connectivity
06:55in Africa and calls for cooperation from multilateral partners and telecommunications operators
07:03with knowledge transfer being key. Indeed, support for the grid development process in
07:14our country is a promising solution to link the south and north of Africa and also to
07:20link the Indian Ocean to the Atlantic. This includes the establishment of viable partnerships
07:28with the Grand Inga hydroelectric project that seeks to respond to the growing energy
07:37demand of our country, which has been increased by the proliferation of connected devices.
07:43Furthermore, it's essential to strengthen traceability of strategic minerals, which
07:50are essential, and also technological equipment in order to ensure a responsible and sustainable
07:58exploitation of our resources. Furthermore, full participation and commitment from youth,
08:05both boys and girls, are essential to build a sustainable and inclusive society. This
08:13principle is the foundation of the Declaration on Future Generations and underscores our
08:21responsibility vis-à-vis future generations and how important it is to make decisions
08:26that enable them to flourish. For Africa, youth is a major asset for Africa's future
08:34prosperity. Investing in education, in particular in STEM subjects, that's science, technology,
08:40engineering, and mathematics, and creating conducive environments for innovation are
08:48crucial. It is essential to deal with the disconnect between a youth and an African
08:56fast-growing young population and the job market by providing the skills that they require
09:05to join the job market. Mr. President, the situation in the east of the Democratic Republic
09:12of the Congo is particularly concerning. The resurgence of the M23 terrorist group supported
09:20by Rwanda has caused an unprecedented humanitarian crisis with close to 7 million internally
09:28displaced persons. This aggression is a major violation of our national sovereignty. We
09:37call upon the international community to firmly condemn these actions and to impose targeted
09:43sanctions against Rwanda for its destabilizing and damaging role. We demand an immediate
09:51and unconditional withdrawal of Rwandan troops from our territory. While recent diplomatic
09:59initiatives such as the Rwanda talks may be encouraging, they should certainly not overshadow
10:07how urgent it is to engage in this essential action. The Democratic Republic of the Congo
10:17is utterly committed to entrenching lasting peace in the east of the country and to promote
10:23economic development and the well-being of these so long-suffering communities experiencing
10:30this armed conflict. Nevertheless, we are not closing any door to any opportunity that
10:36would bring peace while maintaining our sovereignty and our territorial integrity. In this regard,
10:50we are resolutely committed to implementing the roadmap adopted as part of the Rwanda
10:54process and I fully support that that promotes high-level dialogue seeking to re-establish
11:01trust between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda while minimizing the risk of the
11:08current security crisis descending into a regional conflict. Furthermore, my country
11:16remains open to any other initiative by our partners that would contribute to achieving
11:25this noble goal of peace. The Democratic Republic of Congo reaffirms our firm will to ensure
11:34lasting peace. Under my leadership, we are steadfast in our commitment to pursue the
11:41implementation of the Programme for Disarmament, Demobilisation and Community Recovery and
11:48Stabilisation, the PDDRCS, which is a key part of our national strategy to disarm, demobilise
11:55and reintegrate combatants by providing them viable economic opportunities that are also
12:01sustainable, while at the same time stabilising the regions affected by conflict. By ensuring
12:08a post-Monusco transition, we are also prioritising the repatriation of foreign combatants. The
12:15PDDRCS is a crucial tool for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo and I invite
12:22our partners and our friends to support it. Furthermore, thousands of victims of the genocide
12:30for economic gain in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in short the Genocost, continue
12:37to suffer from the devastating consequences of a past marked by violence and impunity.
12:47Recognising and addressing the effects of this tragedy is crucial to enable the recovery
12:54and reconstruction of the affected communities. Beyond immediate humanitarian aid, a long-term
12:59approach focused on justice, reconciliation and sustainable development is essential to
13:07allow the victims to recover and to return to a decent life. Therefore, the Government
13:15of the Democratic Republic of Congo decided to make the 2nd of August a National Day,
13:23the Genocost Day, which is dedicated to the victims of the odious crimes perpetrated by
13:30rebels supported by multinational corporations and states in the region. This is a National
13:37Day of coming together and it allows us to confront our painful past so that we can move
13:44forward. It is essential to strengthen the historic conscience of our country and to
13:51affirm the determination of our nation to prevent such barbarous acts from repeating.
14:00President, terrorism is a serious threat to international peace and security and it affects
14:05all the regions of the world. Having raged in Asia, in Western Europe and in North America,
14:15this scourge now seems to be entrenching itself in Africa. As a member of the Global Coalition
14:21Against the Islamic State, the DRC urges the United Nations to ramp up its efforts to implement
14:29the recommendations of this organisation, in particular when it comes to the Aqaba process.
14:38Terrorism, which is raging in the east of our country, is closely linked to the looting
14:46and illegal exploitation of our natural resources. These criminal activities are nourishing insecurity
14:53and financing armed groups exacerbating conflicts in the Great Lakes region. It is therefore
15:02essential for the United Nations to envisage severe sanctions against those responsible
15:08for these economic crimes in order to break this vicious circle and to foster peace, sustainable
15:15development and human dignity for future generations. President, terrorism is a serious threat to
15:23the world and it affects all the regions of the world. Having raged in Asia, in Western
15:28Europe and in North America, this scourge now seems to be entrenching itself in Africa.
15:33Having raged in Asia, in Western Europe and in North America, this scourge now seems to
15:40be entrenching itself in Africa.
15:43According to the most recent Voluntary National Review report for the SDGs, the Democratic
15:50Party of the United States, terrorism is a serious threat to the world and it affects
15:55all the regions of the world. It is therefore essential for the United Nations to envisage
16:02severe sanctions against those responsible for these economic crimes in order to break
16:07this vicious circle and to foster peace, sustainable development and human dignity for future generations.
16:15And rapid industrialization via, inter alia, the creation of special economic zones. Despite
16:23this progress, the Global Report on Sustainable Development Goals underscores that at the
16:31current tempo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo will not be able to achieve the
16:36SDGs by 2030 due to persisting inequality and vulnerability, which are exacerbating
16:44the problems created by armed conflict.
16:47When faced with this challenge, a roadmap has been developed. This covers all the specific
16:54actions, interventions and reforms needed. The aim being to accelerate progress and tackle
17:00the issues set forth in the 2030 Agenda, with some measures underway already to make sure
17:06that the DRC will be in line with these SDGs by 2030.
17:14For this to work, the Democratic Republic of the Congo needs an annual investment of
17:19around $32 billion. It is therefore indispensable to strengthen partnerships for sustainable
17:26investment and to promote peace in order to support stable socio-economic development.
17:34To answer the list of global responses to climate challenges and promotion of renewable
17:39energy, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, having already reaffirmed its commitment to
17:46ambitious climate action, wishes to underscore the crucial importance of financial and technical
17:52support, increased support, so its efforts can also therefore increase to achieve the
17:58goals set out in the Paris Agreement. Rich as we are in biodiversity and natural resources,
18:04the Democratic Republic of the Congo has taken on the role as a key player in the fight
18:09against climate change. Initiatives that are already underway to reduce greenhouse gas
18:16emissions cover four strategic sectors. These are agriculture, forestry, energy and waste
18:26management. Structural reforms are also in place at the moment to reverse deforestation
18:34and to improve access to clean energy. This is the proof of the determination of our government
18:42to preserve natural resources and to support a green transition.
18:48Now, in terms of showcasing our tropical forests, Bali in November 2022 saw a watershed moment.
19:00This was the adoption of the Joint Declaration on Tropical Forests and Climate Action.
19:10This declaration was signed by Brazil, Indonesia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
19:17This significant step forward demonstrates the collective political will that there is to use
19:25forests as a tool for sustainable development. The Trilateral Cooperation Alliance for Tropical
19:33Forests, which was created in Bali, will provide a framework to address biodiversity-related
19:41challenges and will also propose solutions for carbon credit markets, all the while ensuring
19:48full respect for the rights of indigenous peoples.
19:51Moreover, within the framework of environmental and global warming-related issues, it is also
19:57important to underscore the holding of the second summit of the biggest tropical forest
20:02basins in the world. These are the Amazon, the Congo and the Borneo Mekong. This was
20:07held from the 26th to the 28th of October 2023 in Brazzaville in the Republic of the Congo.
20:14This African initiative, which was spearheaded by President Denis Sassou Nguesso, aims to
20:22implement, as part of the UN Decade for the Restoration of Ecosystems, create the first
20:30global coalition dedicated to the restoration of 350 million hectares of land and water
20:37ecosystems. These forests are a crucial bulwark against climate change. When faced with these
20:44problems that have been clearly identified, and we have solutions within reach, it is
20:48therefore crucial to act in a concrete fashion.
20:51The Amazonian, Congolese and Borneo Mekong basins are home to more than 80% of the tropical
20:58forests and play a crucial role in the fight against climate change. And they also provide
21:06vital ecosystem services. It is therefore imperative that the improvement of socioeconomic
21:14conditions paid by local communities, they who play a key role in forest conservation,
21:21that their interest be given top billing in global governance.
21:27For its part, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has created judicial instruments and
21:34institutional tools that seek to strengthen its position on the global carbon markets,
21:40while we still remain open to partnerships in line with the Paris Agreement and our domestic laws.
21:49The growing awareness of the challenges linked to climate instability and the depletion of
21:53natural resources, which are often the origin of armed conflicts, this underscores the need
21:59to act on these issues. It is therefore crucial to recognize the link between climate change,
22:07environmental degradation and security in order to foster proactive action to mitigate
22:15these risks through sustainable practices. In this connection, we would call on the Security
22:23Council to create international mechanisms that include questions of climate security
22:30in their discussions.
22:32President, faced with a major energy challenge, the world indeed is facing a major energy
22:43challenge. Systems that are based on fossil fuels are responsible for significant greenhouse
22:51gas emissions and thus exacerbate climate change. Without resolute efforts to promote
22:59renewable energy, we risk facing even more grave crises. For example, extreme weather,
23:08conflicts linked to natural resources, and we are seeing some of this already. The Democratic
23:14Republic of the Congo has abundant resources, including essential ores and minerals such
23:22as cobalt, lithium, nickel and graphite, to name but a few. These could facilitate a sustainable
23:32energy transition. We would appeal for international cooperation to develop the necessary technology
23:40and infrastructure for this. Our vision is to transform the exploitation of our resources
23:45into a tool for inclusive and sustainable development, all the while improving education,
23:52health and infrastructure. Social inclusion is at the heart of our strategy, as it guarantees
24:00the equitable distribution of the benefits of progress. As we invest in the fight against
24:06climate change and as we contribute to the SDGs, the Democratic Republic of the Congo
24:12is ready to play a key role in the transformation of global energy systems. Together, we can
24:19build a future where energy is clean, sustainable and accessible for all.
24:27President, I would also like to touch on the crucial question of gender equality. Although equal
24:37participation of men and women in political life is something that is internationally
24:42recognised, in practice there is still a chasm between legal equality and the reality in
24:51how power is held. Women's concerns deserve to be integrated in the major decisions that
24:58affect our society. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we are determined to change
25:03mentalities to overcome the social barriers that are hampering women from prospering.
25:10It is also crucial to involve men in this process so we can transform social trends
25:16and we can showcase their role in women's success. On a national level, the Congolese
25:21constitution enshrines parity. Thus, the government has also created a strategy to fight gender-based
25:31violence, a strategy that is focused on prevention, protection and also reparation for victims.
25:38This strategy is reflected in our National Fund for Reparation of Victims of Conflict-Related
25:44Sexual Violence and Crimes Against Peace and Security, which goes by FONAREV. The current
25:53legislation seeks to guarantee this level of protection. Here, I wish to underscore
25:59significant progress that's been made in terms of women's participation in decision-making
26:05with the appointment for the first time in our history of a woman as Prime Minister and
26:13Head of Government. We're also seeing increased presence of women in governmental bodies,
26:25as well as in the judicial system and the parliament, as illustrated by the appointment
26:31of women as the first President of the Council of State and the Head of the Central Bank
26:37of the Congo, President of the United Nations General Assembly, United Nations Secretary
26:44General, Heads of State and Government, Heads of Delegation, ladies and gentlemen. As we
26:57leverage this momentum, it is crucial that the international community, under the aegis
27:02of the United Nations, continue to support the processes underway and reinvent themselves
27:09when faced with the challenges of the current world. To retain the trust of the international
27:16community, the United Nations must prove how it is able to adapt to contemporary changes
27:25and overcome these in an effective and responsible way. It is crucial to breathe new life into
27:35multilateralism through targeted reforms of the United Nations Charter on key issues,
27:41such as the Security Council, the veto, Chapter 7, and the use of force. Nevertheless, that
27:50will not be enough. Coordination and cooperation between different institutions and agencies
27:56of the United Nations must also be improved. Numerous global issues are often dealt with
28:06redundantly in different fora, sometimes taking contradictory angles, while other problems
28:14remain completely sidelined. And each international bureaucracy seeks to justify its own existence.
28:22In this connection, while we commend the support of the United States, I would reiterate with
28:31strength on behalf of all African countries the request for two permanent seats at the
28:39Security Council for African countries. As the main decision-making body within the United
28:52Nations, this organ must include African representatives amongst its permanent members with all of
29:02the associated prerogatives, particularly the veto. This is to guarantee fair geographic
29:08representation. This is a question of justice, justice for a continent whose role in international
29:23affairs is ever-growing. We Africans are determined to see this through. Finally, I wish to conclude
29:36by recalling that following more than three decades of absence from the Security Council,
29:42the Democratic Republic of the Congo is once again submitting its candidacy, supported
29:47by the African Union and by the Southern African Development Community, SADC, for the
29:52post of an elected member for the 2026-2027 period. This will be during the elections
30:00which will be held in New York in June 2025. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has already
30:08filled this function between 1982 and 1983, and 1990 and 1991. And during these two periods,
30:19we worked to promote peace, security and stability in Africa and around the world. Once elected,
30:27the Democratic Republic of the Congo plans on playing a proactive role within the Security
30:32Council and participating in the revitalization of the UN Charter and contributing in a constructive
30:41way to the debates and actions related to this. My country, therefore, requests the
30:49support of all member states as we come up to these elections. At a time when multilateralism
30:55is being so sorely tested, the Democratic Republic of the Congo reaffirms its tireless
31:00commitment to the international community, and it is ready to shoulder with honour and
31:10responsibility the mission to forge a future where peace and cooperation prevail over conflict
31:16and division. Nelson Mandela said, and I quote, none of us acting alone can achieve success,
31:26end of quote. Thus, we are reaching out to each and every one of you, longstanding partners
31:35and new allies alike, to together write this new crucial chapter of our collective history.
31:42Together, let's make our world a place where every nation, big or small, can prosper in
31:52dignity and security. Thank you very much.
32:05On behalf of the Assembly, I wish to thank the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.