Kinshasa Pushes Natural Resources Governance to the Center of Global Peace Debate

Kinshasa, July 13, 2026 - The Democratic Republic of Congo is seeking to place the governance of natural resources at the heart of international discussions on peace and security during its presidency of the United Nations Security Council. For Kinshasa, the management of strategic resources is no longer only an economic issue but a major factor influencing conflicts, stability, and global security. After opening its Security Council presidency agenda with a high-level debate on conflict-related sexual violence on July 8, the DRC is now turning attention to the relationship between natural resources and peace through an “Arria-formula” meeting scheduled for July 13. The diplomatic initiative will reach a higher level on July 22, when President Félix Tshisekedi is expected to chair a ministerial-level debate on “the governance of natural resources as a foundation for peace, security, and prosperity.” A Call for a New International Framework Through this initiative, Kinshasa aims to encourage a broader international debate on what it describes as a gap in global approaches to natural resources and conflict prevention. While mechanisms such as mineral traceability systems, corporate responsibility standards, and measures against conflict financing already exist, the Congolese authorities argue that these efforts remain fragmented and lack a unified strategy. The objective is therefore to promote a more integrated international framework connecting responsible resource management, conflict prevention, and long-term security. For the DRC, natural resources should no longer be considered solely through the lens of trade, investment, or economic development. They should also be treated as a strategic security issue requiring greater attention from the United Nations Security Council. Critical Minerals and Rising Global Stakes The initiative comes amid growing global demand for critical minerals essential to batteries, digital technologies, and the energy transition. Countries rich in strategic resources are increasingly becoming central to global economic competition, while concerns over illegal exploitation and resource-driven conflicts continue to attract international attention. Kinshasa argues that greater transparency, improved traceability, shared responsibility among stakeholders, and a fairer distribution of resource benefits could contribute to preventing instability and reducing the risk of conflicts linked to natural wealth. A Broader Diplomatic Strategy Since taking over the presidency of the Security Council, the DRC has focused on themes that extend beyond its own national challenges. The July 8 debate on conflict-related sexual violence highlighted issues such as survivor protection, accountability, prevention, and strengthening international responses. With the natural resources debate, Kinshasa is expanding its diplomatic agenda toward another structural issue: the connection between resource governance, armed conflicts, and international peace. Seeking Long-Term Influence at the Security Council The choice of the “Arria-formula” format for the July 13 meeting allows broader participation from regional organizations, experts, civil society representatives, and private sector actors alongside Security Council members. Rather than seeking immediate decisions, the DRC’s strategy focuses on shaping the international conversation and building support for a stronger global approach to natural resource governance. Through these diplomatic initiatives, Kinshasa hopes to establish natural resources as a permanent element of the Security Council’s discussions, alongside traditional security concerns such as armed conflicts, sanctions, and civilian protection.