Under the presidency of the Democratic Republic of Congo at the United Nations Security Council, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Francophonie, led an informal Arria-formula meeting in New York on Monday, July 13th. The session was dedicated to assessing the normative deficit concerning natural resources and peace, exploring its foundations and future prospects.
This important gathering convened diplomats, leading experts, and representatives from various international organizations. Their discussions centered on the critical role natural resources play in both preventing conflicts and fostering sustainable peace.
During her intervention, the Minister of State urged the global community to move beyond a singular focus on conflict management. Instead, she advocated for actively promoting responsible governance of natural resources as a key leverage point for conflict prevention, while rigorously respecting the sovereign rights of states.
Minister Kayikwamba Wagner emphasized that the exploitation of strategic resources should primarily contribute to economic development, stability, and the prosperity of populations. This approach, she asserted, is crucial to prevent these resources from instead fueling tensions and insecurity.
Natural resources as a driver for cooperation
Also addressing the meeting, Huang Xia, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, underscored that natural resources should not be viewed exclusively as sources of competition or potential conflict.
The UN diplomat highlighted that, conversely, these resources possess immense potential to act as powerful catalysts for regional cooperation, stability, and enduring sustainable development.
The Special Envoy further stressed the vital importance of creating concrete economic opportunities, deeming them an essential component for securing lasting peace across the entire Great Lakes Region.
A pivotal step before the July 22nd debate
This Arria-formula meeting initiates a significant diplomatic sequence, which will culminate on July 22nd with a high-level public debate of the Security Council. This upcoming debate will be presided over by the President of the Republic, Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo.
Through this strategic initiative, the Democratic Republic of Congo aims to place the critical issue of natural resource governance at the core of international deliberations on peace and security. The nation is also advocating for a more coherent normative framework, one that is better adapted to the specific realities faced by resource-producing countries.
Understanding an Arria-formula meeting
An Arria-formula meeting represents an informal mechanism utilized by the United Nations Security Council. It facilitates more open and candid exchanges between Council members and external stakeholders who typically do not participate in formal, official sessions.
These meetings can include the participation of:
- Representatives from civil society
- Independent experts
- Academics
- Non-governmental organizations
- Representatives from states not currently serving as members of the Security Council.
In contrast to formal Council meetings, Arria meetings do not involve voting procedures or the adoption of resolutions. Nevertheless, they provide a privileged platform for enriching substantive debates and fostering deeper reflection on major issues pertinent to international peace and security.