UN: DRC chairs on Wednesday the Security Council’s public debate

Kinshasa, July 7^th,  2026 (CPA).-  The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)  will chair, on Wednesday in New York, in the United States of America, the high-level open debate of the United Nations Security Council, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office received on Tuesday by CPA. “In this context, Her Excellency Ms Judith Suminwa, Prime Minister of DRC, will chair a high-level public debate of the Security Council on Wednesday July 8^th, 2026 at 10.00 am on the theme: ‘Women, peace and security – honouring the promise of international law to survivors of conflict-related sexual violence’,” it is read. According to the source, in response to the rise in conflict-related sexual violence in several regions of the world, DRC intends to give a voice to survivors and call on the international community to translate its commitments into concrete actions, whilst specifying that discussions will focus in particular on the reinforcement of the fight against impunity, the sustainable protection of civilians, and the improvement of survivors’ access to healthcare, justice, reparations and reintegration. “This debate forms part of a larger vision of the Congolese Presidency, which establishes a link between sexual violence, war economies and the illicit exploitation of natural resources, regarded as independent factors contributing to instability, particularly in the east of DRC,” the same source stated. This discussion will pave the way for two other major events in July: the Arria-formula meeting on July 13^th, focusing on natural resources, conflicts and peace; and the high-level debate on July 22^nd, on the theme: ‘The governance of natural resources: the foundation of peace, security and prosperity’, has            added the Prime Minister’s Office. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has held the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council since July 1^st, 2026, has placed the protection of civilians, the fight against impunity and the promotion of the ‘Women, Peace and Security’ agenda at the heart of its mandate. This is the first time DRC has held the presidency of this body in over thirty years.