New York, March 2, 2026 — During the open debate of the Security Council on the theme “Children, Technology and Education in Times of Conflict,” the Permanent Representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the United Nations, H.E. Ambassador Zénon Mukongo Ngay, delivered the national statement, reaffirming the urgent need to protect children, ensure the continuity of their education, and promote the safe, inclusive, and responsible use of technology in crisis settings.
In its statement, the DRC recalled the gravity of the situation that has persisted for more than three decades in the eastern part of the country, where recurrent violence continues to severely undermine access to “safe, inclusive and quality” education. Ambassador Zénon Mukongo Ngay notably highlighted the alarming impact of the conflict in South Kivu Province, referring to the imposition of school fees in areas under the control of armed groups, as well as the widespread closure of schools. Statistics show that out of 8,419 schools, 1,768 are currently non-operational, including 71 nursery schools, 1,022 primary schools, and 675 secondary schools. Among them, 167 schools, serving 72,214 pupils, including 36,068 girls, are, as we meet here today, occupied by armed groups.
The statement also highlighted national efforts aimed at strengthening the resilience of the education system, notably the free education policy introduced in 2019, as well as the adoption in 2025 of the Education and Training Strategy in Emergency Situations 2025–2029, designed to ensure the continuity of learning before, during, and after crises, while reducing the digital divide in affected areas.
Emphasizing the growing role of digital technology, the DRC stated that distance-learning platforms, mobile tools, and digital solutions can help maintain educational continuity for displaced children or those living in isolated areas. It also underscored the potential of advances in artificial intelligence to support teachers, adapt educational content, and provide psychosocial assistance to children affected by trauma.
Lastly, the DRC called for greater mobilization by the international community, advocating for stronger support for the development of digital infrastructure in fragile and post-conflict areas, as well as for responsible partnerships with the private sector based on transparency and accountability. “Technology must never be a factor of exclusion,” Ambassador Zénon Mukongo Ngay stressed, emphasizing that it must become an instrument of resilience, recovery, and equal opportunity for Congolese children.
The DRC concluded by reaffirming its determination to work with its partners to protect children, progressively modernize the education system, and ensure that no child, even in situations of conflict, is deprived of the right to education and to a better future in the digital age.