The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has assumed the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council for the entire month of July 2026. This historic milestone comes just six months after the country was elected as a non-permanent member for the 2026-2027 term. The DRC’s last stint in this diplomatic role dates back over three decades, to 1990-1991.

Under the guiding principle of “More Peace, More Justice, More Development, and More Multilateralism,” the presidency is being led by Ambassador Zénon Mukongo Ngay. Kinshasa is leveraging this international platform to connect collective security with sustainable development goals. The Congolese authorities are determined to amplify Africa’s voice on global issues, particularly those affecting the continent.

Key priorities on the Congolese agenda

The DRC’s top priority is the governance of natural resources, with a high-level public debate scheduled for July 22, 2026, chaired by President Félix Tshisekedi. This session aims to expose how the illicit exploitation of minerals fuels armed conflicts. Another critical focus is the fight against sexual violence in conflict zones, an issue championed by Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka at the beginning of the month.

While addressing ongoing global crises such as the situations in the Middle East, Sudan, and Haiti, the DRC is also using its presidency to raise international awareness about the conflict in its eastern region. Without compromising its neutral role as president, Kinshasa is highlighting the humanitarian impact of the aggression it faces. The objective is to secure stronger international sanctions against armed groups and their external backers.