The DRC at the forefront against global warming at the Paris summit for a new global financial pact
The Prime Minister of the DRC, Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde, actively took part in the Paris summit for a new global financial pact which took place on June 22 and 23, 2023. This event is intended to be a forum of great economic significance. and financial not only for the DR Congo but for all the countries of the world and more particularly for the African continent.
For the Prime Minister, the DR Congo occupies a prominent place in discussions relating to the fight against climate change. He even goes so far as to say that the Congo represents the solution country in this matter. The DRC stands out in particular for its panoply of natural resources capable of contributing to the fight against global warming. “These financial issues are directly linked to climate and development issues in the country. Wherever we talk about climate, you know, the DRC is 60% of the Congo Basin in terms of forests. It is 10% global freshwater and 52% freshwater at the African level. This is what we represent, not to mention our peat bogs, our Miombo forests that we share at SADC level and that all enter into the system of combating global warming, with the absorption of carbon dioxide. And so, wherever we talk about climate issues, the Congo, a solution country through its forestry contribution, but also through its contribution from the point of view of new energies and energy transition metals, must always be present. This is an option that we have exercised. And so, we came for that, ”he underlines.
At the Summit for a New Global Financial Compact, participants also raised critical questions about reforms to make the global financial system more flexible and efficient. They thus agreed on the importance of the reform of the two main international financial institutions, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. These two institutions were created 80 years ago by the founding countries of Bretton Woods, without the participation of African countries. The participants agreed on the need to take into account the sovereignty of African countries in the choice of projects and sectors to which funding should be directed.
Credit-Carbone was also at the center of discussions. The Prime Minister recalled that the DRC is considered as the solution country in three respects. First, the country has “62% of the Congo Basin forests, which we share with 16 other countries. But, inside the DRC alone, we have 62%. Next to that, we have peat bogs, mangroves, which also allow us to capture greenhouse gases. Today, we are talking about almost 3% of greenhouse gases that are emitted, that we can capture”.
In conclusion, the DR Congo has shown its determination to make its voice heard during this important meeting for a fairer and more equitable world, particularly on climate and environmental issues. The DR Congo, through its Prime Minister, reiterated its important role as a provider of solutions to safeguard our environment