New York, February 26, 2026 — The Deputy Permanent Representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to the United Nations, H.E. Ambassador Jocelyne Kabengele Lukundula, held talks on Thursday, February 26, 2026, with the Secretary General of the Federal Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Austria, Mr. Arnold Kammel, as part of efforts to strengthen the multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.
This meeting took place as Austria is a candidate for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council for the 2027–2028 term.
The Congolese side recalled that the DRC is currently serving its mandate as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the 2026–2027 term, a mandate structured around two pillars: (i) peace and security; and (ii) conflict prevention and resolution. In this spirit, the DRC reaffirmed its readiness to promote solutions based on the Charter of the United Nations, de-escalation, dialogue, and international cooperation.
The DRC also emphasized that its return to the Security Council is part of a historical continuity: the country is serving on the Council for the third time, following two previous terms from 1982 to 1983 and from 1990 to 1991. This experience reinforces the Congolese commitment to contributing, in a responsible and constructive manner, to collective efforts in support of lasting peace and strengthened international security.