The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has taken the helm of the United Nations Security Council for the entire month of July 2026. This historic milestone comes just six months after the country began its two-year term as a non-permanent member for 2026-2027. The DRC last held this distinguished diplomatic position over three decades ago, during the 1990-1991 session.

Operating under the guiding principle of “More peace, more justice, more development, and more multilateralism”, the DRC’s presidency is led on a daily basis by Ambassador Zénon Mukongo Ngay. Kinshasa is leveraging this international platform to connect collective security with sustainable development. The Congolese authorities are determined to amplify Africa’s voice in shaping global geopolitical balances.

The DRC’s top priority is the governance of natural resources, with a high-level public debate scheduled for July 22, 2026, under the leadership of President Félix Tshisekedi. This session aims to highlight how illicit mineral exploitation fuels armed conflicts. Another key focus is combating sexual violence in conflict zones, a cause championed by Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka at the start of the month.

While managing ongoing global crises such as those in the Middle East, Sudan, and Haiti, the DRC is using its platform to raise international awareness about the war raging in its eastern regions. Without compromising its neutral role as Council president, it is spotlighting the humanitarian toll of the aggression it faces. The objective is to secure stronger international sanctions against armed groups and their external backers.