The governors of the five eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo gathered in Goma for a meeting organized by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and MONUSCO. This “regional conversation” aims to find common strategies to address the development, security and environmental challenges facing these provinces.
For three days, the governors of North Kivu, South Kivu, Maniema, Ituri and Tanganyika, accompanied by their respective government teams, will reflect together on coordinated responses to these challenges. They are aware that the problems they face go beyond the borders of their province and that cooperation between the eastern provinces is necessary to find lasting solutions.
Common challenges facing these provinces include security crises, natural disasters and climate change. In addition to this, some areas face a weak presence of state authority, which hampers development. Moreover, these provinces share similar socio-political realities given their proximity to the East African zone.
The purpose of this meeting is to promote interprovincial cooperation in different sectors of development, the prevention of security crises and the management of the effects of climate change and natural disasters. The governors hope to produce a joint plea at the end of these three days, in order to strengthen the links between the eastern provinces and find innovative and sustainable solutions for their development.
This “regional conversation” demonstrates the importance of collaboration and coordination among provinces to address common challenges. Through this initiative, UNDP and MONUSCO hope to create a space for dialogue and experience sharing between governors, in order to strengthen their capacity to develop effective public policies and implement inclusive development projects.
The meeting of the governors of the eastern provinces of the DRC in Goma is therefore an important step towards stronger regional cooperation and progress towards the sustainable development of these regions. By working together, these provinces can meet the challenges ahead and improve the lives of their people