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 arrives just six months after the country assumed its non-permanent membership for the 2026-2027 term—its first such diplomatic engagement in over three decades, having last held the position between 1990 and 1991.

Operating under the banner “More peace, more justice, more development, and more multilateralism”, the Congolese presidency is being steered daily by Ambassador Zénon Mukongo Ngay. Kinshasa is leveraging this international platform to link collective security with sustainable development, amplifying Africa’s voice on critical global balances.

The DRC’s agenda is anchored in two pillars: governance of natural resources and combating sexual violence in conflict. A high-level public debate scheduled for July 22 will highlight how the illicit mining trade fuels armed conflict, while authorities are pushing for stronger international sanctions against armed groups and their external backers.

Amid ongoing global crises—including the Middle East, Sudan, and Haiti—the DRC is also using its UN presidency to spotlight the war in its eastern region. Without compromising its neutral role as Council president, Kinshasa is drawing attention to the humanitarian toll of the aggression it faces, advocating for firmer international action.