As it prepares to assume its seat as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in January 2026, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is organizing a high-level side event on the margins of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), to be held in New York from September 16 to 19, 2025.
Under the theme « Breaking the Cycle of Impunity: Combating Trafficking, Prosecuting Grave Crimes and Responding to Conflict in the DRC, » the event aims to raise international awareness and mobilize meaningful support to fight human trafficking and gender-based violence, particularly in conflict-affected areas of the country.
A strategic svent in a pivotal diplomatic moment
Led by the Office of the President through Special Advisor Ms. Chantal Yelu Mulop, this event reflects President Félix Tshisekedi’s strong commitment to justice, human dignity, and victim-centered policies.
« This will not be just another discussion forum. Our aim is to lay the groundwork for coordinated international action, secure targeted funding, and send a clear message: impunity will no longer be tolerated, » declared Ms. Mulop during preparatory meetings.
Tackling urgent and sensitive issues
Two main panels will structure the event:
- The first will focus on human trafficking and irregular migration, highlighting cases of child labor in mining, forced begging, early and forced marriages, and sexual exploitation;
- The second will address criminal justice in conflict zones, with a focus on strengthening judicial responses to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Speakers will include representatives from Congolese courts, UN agencies, international partners, and civil society organizations.
A call for action and global solidarity
Beyond awareness-raising, the DRC aims to mobilize between $3 million and $300 million to fund rehabilitation programs, victim support initiatives, and justice sector reforms. The funds will be channeled through a neutral and credible platform, with technical support from the European Union, to ensure transparency and impact.
“Our objective is to establish a sustainable and effective mechanism that truly serves the victims,” explained Mr. Antoine Ghonda, Special Envoy of the President in charge of diplomatic mobilization for the event.
Progress already made in the DRC
Since 2019, the DRC has created a presidential agency dedicated to combating trafficking in persons. A national anti-trafficking law was adopted in 2022, and concrete reforms have led to a noticeable reduction in child labor and early marriages. The country was recently removed from the U.S. State Department’s human trafficking “watch list” of non-compliant nations.
These efforts have been praised by partners such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the European Union, and the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa. Ambassador Lucy Tamlyn welcomed the initiative, calling it “an opportunity to reinforce humanitarian and justice-based governance, especially in the eastern regions of the country.”
Toward a strengthened humanitarian diplomacy
This side event is part of the DRC’s broader vision of humanitarian diplomacy, aimed at amplifying the voices of survivors and calling for stronger international mechanisms to end systemic abuse and impunity.
Diplomatic mobilization is underway, with active coordination by the DRC’s Permanent Mission to the UN and technical assistance from the European Union as a key strategic partner.
With this impactful diplomatic initiative, the DRC seeks to transform the pain of its victims into a global call for justice and accountability.
JEK
