Full Transcript: President Félix Tshisekedi’s Speech at UNGA80

New York, September 23, 2025 – President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo of the Democratic Republic of Congo addressed the 80th United Nations General Assembly. Below is the full official transcript of his speech.

Full Speech

Madame President,

Mr. Secretary-General,

Excellencies, Heads of State and Government, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

First of all, I would like to extend my warm congratulations to Madame Analena Barbock on her election as President of the 80th Ordinary Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Her leadership and commitment to multilateralism will be crucial to the success of our work.

I also take this opportunity to pay tribute to her predecessor, His Excellency Mr. Philémon Yang, whose dedication and commitment marked the previous session. Finally, I reaffirm my country’s full confidence in the work of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Antonio Guterres, for his tireless efforts to strengthen our organization and promote solutions to the challenges that threaten peace, security, and prosperity around the world, particularly in the Great Lakes region of Africa, to which the Democratic Republic of Congo belongs.

Madame President,

I welcome the relevance of the theme chosen for this 80th session: “Better together, more than 80 years in the service of peace, development, and human rights.” This theme highlights eight decades of collective efforts by an organization devoted to peace, development, and universal well-being.

Founded on the promise of collective security, the UN’s 80th anniversary is an opportunity to reaffirm the virtues of effective multilateralism and to honor the ideals of peace, human dignity, and solidarity among nations that inspired its founders. While the UN remains a pillar of international relations, conflict resolution, and the promotion of human rights, it now faces systemic challenges that test its credibility and capacity for action. Armed conflicts, climate disruption, recurring humanitarian crises, and new transnational threats remind us that multilateralism is no longer optional, but an unavoidable necessity.

We remain convinced that the answers to 21st-century challenges can only emerge from collective solutions rooted in cooperation, justice, and shared responsibility.

Madame President,

Following its election last June, the Democratic Republic of Congo is preparing to serve as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2026–2027 period. On behalf of my country, I express our sincere thanks to Member States for their confidence and solidarity. Our participation will be constructive and holistic, built around two inseparable priorities: peace and security, and the prevention and resolution of conflicts.

We also intend to contribute actively to the development and implementation of the New Agenda for Peace by bringing our experience and potential to reforming UN peacekeeping and strengthening the collective security system. Regarding Security Council reform, my country reaffirms Africa’s common position as set out in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Syrte Declaration — Africa must obtain two additional non-permanent seats and two permanent seats with all the rights, including the veto, privileges, and obligations of current permanent members.

With 54 states and over 1.2 billion inhabitants, Africa cannot remain on the sidelines of decisions that affect global peace and security.

Madame President,

Another priority is the illegal exploitation of natural resources — one of the major causes of conflict. The Democratic Republic of Congo intends to place the governance of strategic minerals at the center of the debate to ensure their exploitation respects sustainable development, economic sovereignty, and the well-being of our people.

At the global level, breaking the toxic link between mineral rents and the financing of armed groups requires an integrated approach based on: due diligence and traceability from mine to consumer, full transparency of supply chains, independent audits, stronger cooperation between customs, judicial and financial authorities, targeted sanctions against traffickers, and resolute action against corruption.

Human rights, transitional justice, and the women, peace and security, and youth, peace and security agendas must also remain central to this action, as they are essential for achieving a just, inclusive, and lasting peace.

Madame President,

On the eve of the creation of an independent UN Human Rights Council commission of inquiry into recent massacres committed in eastern DRC by our aggressors and their auxiliaries, I issue a solemn appeal to the international community. It has the moral and political duty to support this essential process in order to establish the truth, deliver justice to the victims, and lay the foundation for lasting peace.

(Speech continues with: Congo’s election to the UN Security Council, calls for reform to give Africa permanent seats, condemnation of Rwanda’s maneuvers in eastern DRC, exposure of atrocities committed by M23 with Rwandan backing, demand for recognition of the Congolese genocide (GENOCOST), commitment to fair mineral partnerships tied to development, climate leadership, women and youth empowerment, and a final appeal for justice and dignity for Congo.)

He concluded:

“The Democratic Republic of Congo does not ask for charity or pity. It demands justice, truth, and dignity. I call on this Assembly: recognize the Congolese genocide, support our fight for truth and justice, and help us finally build a lasting peace at the heart of Africa.”

Closing

President Tshisekedi’s full remarks at UNGA80 reaffirm Congo’s demand for justice, expose Rwanda’s duplicity in eastern DRC, and highlight Africa’s right to full representation in global governance.