DRC President Emphasizes Global Cooperation for Mineral Resource Development
During his address at the 78th ordinary session of the United Nations General Assembly, President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) underscored the significance of international collaboration for sustainable development and ecological transition. He also highlighted his nation’s abundant mineral resources.
As the global demand for rare minerals like copper and cobalt surges to support the shift towards renewable energy and clean technology, the DRC has become a focal point of international attention.
President Tshisekedi reaffirmed his country’s commitment to partnering with both public and private entities to harness its strategic mineral wealth.
For context, the European Union (EU) and the DRC have initiated discussions this year on an agreement to jointly exploit rare minerals. These negotiations represent a promising partnership that could expedite the EU’s ecological transition.
Simultaneously, Kinshasa continues its collaboration with China in the mining sector. An historic agreement, signed in 2007 and referred to as the “contract of the century,” has faced criticism over the years for its perceived imbalance.
Under this contract, China pledged to construct significant infrastructure, including thousands of kilometers of roads, railways, hospitals, and health centers, valued at approximately $6.5 billion, in exchange for access to Congolese mineral resources.
A report by the General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF) highlighted this imbalance. It pointed out that China’s commitments were heavily skewed towards infrastructure development in exchange for the exploitation of Congolese mineral resources.
President Tshisekedi expressed the DRC’s determination to review the terms of such agreements to ensure a fairer distribution of benefits.
In his UN address, he emphasized that the DRC intends to allocate 30% of its territory to the preservation of biodiversity, underscoring its dedication to environmental protection.
President Tshisekedi’s UN speech underscored the pivotal role of the DRC’s mineral resources in the global ecological transition.
