**Fatshimetrie**
During the recent United Nations General Assembly held in September 2024, the speech of President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo of the Democratic Republic of Congo captivated the attention of the international audience. In a speech marked by determination and commitment to global cooperation, President Tshisekedi shared his vision of a world where every individual is taken into account, while advocating for a strengthening of multilateralism.
Congratulating Philémon Yang on his presidency of the session and paying tribute to previous UN leaders, the Congolese President underlined the importance of this year’s theme, “Leaving no one behind”, in line with the aspirations of the Congolese people. He highlighted the need to restore confidence in the multilateral system, currently undermined by armed conflicts and humanitarian crises around the world.
During his speech, President Tshisekedi addressed several hot topics, including the situation in eastern DRC where the resurgence of the Rwandan-backed M23 terrorist group has led to an alarming number of internally displaced persons. He called for an unconditional withdrawal of Rwandan troops and asked the international community to condemn these actions, while reaffirming his country’s commitment to lasting peace and sovereignty.
The President also highlighted the initiatives taken at the Summit of the Future, such as the “Compact for the Future”, aimed at combating extreme poverty, hunger and responding to global challenges such as migration and pandemics. He stressed the importance of an inclusive digital transition to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
On the environment, Tshisekedi reaffirmed the DRC’s commitment to the fight against climate change, calling for enhanced international cooperation to preserve tropical forests. He highlighted the crucial link between environmental degradation and conflict, urging proactive actions for sustainable management of natural resources.
On the issue of gender equality, the President announced significant advances, such as the appointment of a woman as Prime Minister, while emphasizing the essential role of men in this societal change.
Finally, Tshisekedi called for reforms within the UN, particularly with regard to the Security Council and the right of veto. He stressed the need for enhanced cooperation between the different UN agencies for an effective response to global challenges.
In a world where multilateralism is being tested, President Tshisekedi reached out to nations around the world to write together a new chapter in collective history. Quoting Nelson Mandela, he recalled the importance of collaboration to build a common future based on peace and dignity.
By reiterating the call for reform of the Security Council and announcing the candidacy of the DRC for a non-permanent member position on the Council, President Tshisekedi demonstrated his country’s determination to play an active role in promoting global peace and security. He stressed the importance of balanced geographical representation on the Security Council to ensure fair and equitable decision-making.
In sum, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi’s speech at the UN in 2024 was a call to action for enhanced international cooperation, with the desire to build a future where solidarity, mutual respect and shared prosperity will guide the actions of the nations of the world.