DRC-EU: the prospects for collaboration on empowering people living with HIV discussed in Kinshasa

Kinshasa, October 15^th, 2025 (CPA).- Prospects for collaboration between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the European Union in favour of the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities (PWD) have been discussed during a meeting on Tuesday in Kinshasa, according to official sources on Wednesday. ‘I have received the EU Ambassador, Mr Nicolas Berlanga, in audience to discuss prospects for collaboration in favour of the inclusion and empowerment of PWD,’ has declared Ms Irene Esambo Diata, Deputy Minister in charge of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable persons (PWD-APV). ‘I have also invited the EU to participate in the donor round table planned in the run-up to International Day of Persons with Disabilities, scheduled for December 3^rd, 2025,’ she has added, before announcing the holding of an immersion seminar to strengthen the capacities of her staff. On this occasion, Ms Esambo has called for EU support for various projects, including inclusive entrepreneurship, accessibility, adapted sports, social housing and adapted agriculture. She has also presented the main achievements of her first term, including the organic law on the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities and the creation of a Congolese sign language dictionary, while outlining the priorities of her second term, which focus on the socio-economic empowerment of persons with disabilities, before handing over several strategic documents to her interlocutor. For his part, Nicolas Berlanga, EU Ambassador to DRC, has praised the work accomplished by the Deputy Minister in charge of PWDs and persons with disabilities. He has expressed the EU’s willingness to strengthen its support in line with its disability strategy. ‘I am very pleased to see that DRC has made great progress thanks to the impetus provided by the Minister. I have assured her of our support and confirmed our participation in the commemorative activities on December 3^rd,’ has indicated Mr Berlanga. The inclusion and the empowerment of persons with disabilities (PWD) in DRC is supported by government, legal and civil society initiatives, with notable progress such as the adoption of the organic law on the protection of PWD, the creation of the National Fund for Empowerment and Accessibility, quota recruitment for PWD, and the development of specific projects. Challenges remain, however, such as the lack of an effective social protection system and limited access to inclusive education.