France pledges full support to DRC’s natural resource diplomacy at UN
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), currently presiding over the United Nations Security Council for July, has made it a top priority to address what it views as the root cause of many contemporary conflicts: the governance of natural resources. Paris has now expressed its full backing for Kinshasa’s diplomatic offensive.
- International diplomacy
DRC’s bold diplomatic initiative at the UN
The DRC has taken a bold step by organizing a high-level debate on July 22 under the theme “Natural Resource Governance: Foundation for Peace, Security and Prosperity”. This follows a preparatory meeting in the Arria format held on July 13 in New York, where diplomats discussed the critical link between resource exploitation and conflict prevention.
Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner highlighted what the DRC calls a “normative gap” in international governance frameworks. Existing mechanisms like mineral traceability, corporate due diligence, and conflict financing prevention remain fragmented and inconsistent. Kinshasa is pushing for a more integrated international framework that connects natural resource governance with conflict prevention and international security.
The DRC argues that natural resources should no longer be treated solely as economic assets but as strategic elements for peace and security that deserve a permanent place on the UN Security Council’s agenda.
France’s unwavering support
At the UN, France’s Permanent Representative Jérôme Bonnafont delivered a strong message of support for the DRC’s initiative:
“Natural resources must serve as levers for sustainable and equitable development for the populations and countries that possess them. They must be protected from predators and from diversion for malicious purposes. Moving forward, France supports the DRC’s objective of strengthening and bringing coherence to international initiatives aimed at ensuring responsible use of these resources. We are fully prepared to contribute to the Council’s work that will accompany the high-level debate the DRC will host next week, in the presence of President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi,”
A strategic context
This diplomatic push comes amid a complex security landscape in eastern DRC. While the DRC has signed strategic partnerships with the United States on critical minerals and an agreement with Rwanda that includes measures for de-escalation and the withdrawal of Rwandan forces, security remains fragile. The stalled Doha process, aimed at facilitating dialogue between Kinshasa and the AFC/M23 rebellion, underscores the persistent gap between diplomatic announcements and ground realities.
The DRC’s presidency of the Security Council has also focused on other critical issues, including a July 8 briefing on conflict-related sexual violence, which emphasized the human cost of war economies and the urgent need for prevention, survivor protection, and accountability.
This comprehensive approach reflects Kinshasa’s determination to position itself as a key player in shaping international norms that govern the peaceful and equitable use of natural resources.
