**Davos 2025: An Opportunity for the DRC to Reshape Its Image on the International Stage**
This year, the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos will not just be a gathering of global elites; it offers a unique opportunity for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to reaffirm its role on the international stage and establish partnerships that could transform its economic and environmental future.
### Context and Issues
The DRC is a country rich in natural resources, with one of the world’s largest reserves of minerals, such as copper, cobalt, and coltan. Yet, despite this wealth, the country faces multiple challenges, including humanitarian crises, internal conflicts, and uneven economic development. By participating in the 2025 WEF, President Félix Tshisekedi is not only engaging in a dynamic of global dialogue, but also in a quest to revitalize his country’s often tarnished image.
### Discussion topics: Towards international cooperation
This year’s theme, “Collaborating in the Age of Intelligence,” highlights the pressing need to address the challenges of technological advances. This raises the question: how can the DRC take advantage of this technological revolution to foster its development? By integrating new technologies into its resource management policies, particularly through artificial intelligence and biotechnology, the country could not only increase its economic efficiency but also improve the quality of life of its citizens.
### Climate change: a colossal challenge
The climate change plan that President Tshisekedi plans to unveil in Davos should be seen as a cornerstone of his long-term approach. The DRC is home to 60% of Africa’s tropical forests, playing a crucial role in regulating the global climate. Indeed, deforestation and uncontrolled mining threaten not only these precious ecosystems but also biodiversity, impacting local communities that depend on these resources.
A strong international partnership is essential to combine financing and technology efforts to build sustainable infrastructure that can serve both economic profit and environmental preservation. Such an approach would offer a model to other developing countries or those in precarious situations facing environmental challenges.
### Energy transition: an economic imperative
The DRC’s interest in the energy transition is also crucial on the economic level. With the global boom in renewable energies, the demand for essential minerals such as lithium for electric batteries and cobalt could propel the DRC to the forefront of the global market. However, it is imperative that Minister Eve Bazaiba, who will focus on sustainability issues, discuss ethical standards and environmental responsibility in the mining sector.
It should be recalled that according to a study by the International Energy Agency (IEA), demand for cobalt could reach 3 million tonnes by 2030. This gives the DRC – which controls nearly 70% of the world’s reserves of this metal – a golden opportunity to capitalize on this opportunity. However, this cannot be done without a legislative framework supporting responsible and sustainable extraction.
### Collaboration and diplomacy: building lasting alliances
The support of President Tshisekedi by several sectoral ministers underlines the DRC’s desire to make its voice heard in Davos. Their presence allows for a multidisciplinary approach to the discussions, integrating economic, environmental and diplomatic issues. Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner will have a crucial role to play in establishing new international partnerships that could benefit not only the DRC, but other nations in Africa seeking to achieve similar goals.
### Towards a Sustainable Future
The challenge facing the Congolese government is immense, but participation in the World Economic Forum offers a unique platform to herald a paradigm shift. By focusing on sustainability, technology, and international cooperation, President Tshisekedi can not only revitalize his country’s image, but also engage the world in a constructive dialogue on equitable and sustainable development.
The future of the Democratic Republic of Congo will depend on its ability to translate these discussions into concrete actions. With a pen in the service of hope, the world will watch with interest the path that the DRC chooses to take in Davos in 2025. As the country embarks on this adventure, it must remind everyone that collaboration is the key to addressing global challenges.
In the current context, the DRC should not only be a topic of discussion, but become an active and responsible player in the international community. The stakes are high, but when we know that the future of the world also depends on stability and sustainability in Africa, every effort counts.