Kinshasa, October 27th, 2025 (CPA).- At the launch of the first edition of National Climate Week on Monday in Kinshasa, the Minister in charge of the Environment expressed her vision of making the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) a leading country in global climate governance, inviting stakeholders to work with conviction and courage. ‘I invite you to work with conviction, courage and faith, because together we can make the DRC not only a solution country but also, and above all, a leading country in global climate governance,’ said Professor Marie Nyange Ndambo, Minister of the Environment, Sustainable Development and New Climate Economy. She pointed out that the DRC is the green heart of Africa, the lungs of the planet, and the reservoir of fresh water that nourishes millions of lives. ‘Our forests, our peat lands, our rivers are not only national treasures: they are a vital heritage for all of humanity. In short, the DRC is at the heart of global climate balance,’ she argued. The Minister in charge of the Environment pointed out that the country is not only rich in natural resources, it is also essential to the planet’s balance.
‘Our forests in the Congo Basin absorb billions of tons of carbon every year; our peat lands store colossal reserves of carbon, which are essential for limiting global warming; our waters and biodiversity make the DRC a true global ecological treasure. In other words, without the DRC, there is no sustainable solution to the global climate crisis,’ she said. She recalled that, under the leadership of President Tshisekedi, the DRC is committed to defending its role as a solution country in all international forums, promoting a green and inclusive economy that creates jobs and prosperity for young people, and strengthening climate justice so that the nation’s efforts are recognized and supported by fair and transparent financing. « …The Congolese National Climate Week is therefore a national and international platform where we are preparing together for COP30 and where we are affirming that the DRC is ready to assume its role as a climate leader. We want every Congolese woman and man to understand that climate change is not a distant issue: it affects our crops, our health, our cities and our security. I therefore call for collective action: protecting the environment means protecting our future, » she said.
International partners called to action
Participants in National Climate Week
The Minister in charge of the Environment also called on international partners to translate their promises into concrete actions to enable the DRC to improve conservation. ‘I am sending a specific message to every stakeholder in climate change: to international partners, I say: the DRC is doing its part in conservation, but it cannot be the world’s firefighter without the means to do so. It is ready for action, but it cannot act alone. Promises must be translated into concrete action,’ she said. She emphasized that every citizen has a role to play, from the most remote villages to the big cities, before raising awareness among young people that they are the generation of the solution, the one that will, in her view, turn the crisis into an opportunity. According to Professor Marie Nyange, this week is not just a technical meeting. ‘During these discussions, we want to: join forces with the government, civil society, the private sector, local authorities and communities, and indigenous peoples; prepare for COP30 with a strong and credible position that reflects our priorities and realities; and build a green and inclusive economy, where every job created also protects our environment,’ she said. Organized by the Ministry in charge of Environment, Sustainable Development and New Climate Economy, this week, which will run from October 27th to 30th , aims to mobilize climate finance and prepare the DRC’s participation in COP30.