Kinshasa, November 26th, 2025, (CPA) – The United Nations have called on the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday to invest in youth for sustainable development during a working dinner organised in Kinshasa by the United Nations Population Fund, it was learned on Wednesday from UN sources. ‘The young people represent more than half of DRC’s population. They are the driving force, the creative energy and the future of this country. Investing in young people means investing in peace, prosperity and sustainable development,’ has declared Bruno Lemarquis, resident representative of the United Nations System in DRC. ‘I call for young people to be at the centre of any public-private dialogue by facilitating the establishment of regular and structured spaces for consultation between businesses, public authorities and technical partners in order to build reforms. I also call for the promotion of responsible investment that puts young people at the centre,’ he has added. Mr Lemarquis has indicated that the United Nations System reaffirms its commitment to working alongside Congolese businesses to build a growth model based on sustainability, social equity, ethics and resilience. According to this senior UN official, « the future depends heavily on our ability to combine our efforts, think boldly, act with determination, and turn challenges into opportunities for change. Let us work together to mobilise the potential of young people, innovation and the strength of partnerships to meet the challenges that call on our collective responsibility. »
The Government leadership in favour of young people praised
For his part, the United Nations Assistant General Secretary for Youth, Felipe Paullier, who was visiting the capital, has indicated that DRC is a young country and that nearly 70% of the population is under 25 years of age. However, he has lamented that many young people and women face barriers to employment, digital access and training, and are exposed to gender-based violence, precariousness and a lack of opportunities. ‘This dinner is not just a networking event. Tonight, we are seeking to transform goodwill into commitments; ideas into actions; intentions into results,’ he has said. Mr. Paullier has praised the leadership of the Congolese Government and the Minister in charge of Youth and Patriotic Awareness for her commitment to youth initiatives. The United Nations system intends to play its full role as a neutral platform for interconnection between the Government, the private sector and Congolese youth. For its part, Global Compact has called for the mobilisation of the public sector to create a favourable regulatory framework to encourage tax incentives and support strategic job creation sectors. ‘We invite the private sector to invest in supporting value chains for internships, contracts and partnerships. We invite the United Nations to structure and catalyse collective action and strengthen the capacities of young entrepreneurs,’ has concluded Jessica Webe, Executive Director of UN Global Compact DRC.