AGP Executive Report

Water Governance: At the Luanda Biennial, President Félix Tshisekedi called for cooperation on shared water resources while defending the DRC’s sovereignty. The Congo and Ubangi river systems offer major potential for power, farming, transport and drinking water, but require coordination to protect ecosystems and manage use. Biodiversity: A new report warns that 29% of key biodiversity areas in the Congo Basin remain unprotected. Across tropical countries, protected areas also overlap with oil, gas and mining concessions; the authors urge governments to limit extraction in high-biodiversity zones and strengthen local and Indigenous communities’ role in conservation.

Water Governance: At the Luanda Biennial, Félix Tshisekedi called for cooperation over shared water resources while defending the DRC’s sovereignty. The Congo and Ubangi river systems offer major potential for power, farming and transport, but their use also raises questions about ecosystem protection and fair coordination with neighbouring countries. Biodiversity: A new report warns that extractive projects threaten conservation goals across tropical regions. It says 29% of key biodiversity areas in the Congo Basin remain unprotected and urges governments to limit industrial activity in high-biodiversity zones and strengthen Indigenous and local communities’ role in conservation.

Water Governance: At the Luanda Biennial, President Félix Tshisekedi called for water diplomacy that balances regional cooperation with national sovereignty and ecosystem protection. The Congo and Ubangi river systems offer major potential for energy, farming and transport, but need stronger coordination among countries that share them. Biodiversity: A new report warns that 29% of key biodiversity areas in the Congo Basin remain unprotected, while extractive industries overlap protected lands in tropical regions. Its authors urge governments to limit extraction in high-biodiversity areas and strengthen local and Indigenous communities’ role in conservation.

Water Governance: At the Luanda Biennial, Félix Tshisekedi called for cooperation over shared water resources while respecting national sovereignty. The DRC’s Congo and Ubangi river systems offer major potential for energy, farming and transport, but require coordination to protect ecosystems. Congo Basin Biodiversity: A new report warns that 29% of key biodiversity areas in the basin remain unprotected. It urges governments to curb extractive activity in high-value nature areas and strengthen Indigenous and local communities’ role in conservation.

Ebola Response: The outbreak has spread to an eighth DRC province. WFP is delivering food, building treatment centres and providing logistics, but says it needs US$214 million over six months to sustain support in conflict-hit eastern communities. Water Governance: At the Luanda Biennial, President Félix Tshisekedi called for regional water cooperation that respects national sovereignty and protects ecosystems. The DRC and Zambia have also validated an agreement to jointly manage the Luapula River and Lake Mweru, supporting water security and climate resilience. Biodiversity: A new report warns that 29% of key biodiversity areas in the Congo Basin remain unprotected, while extractive industries overlap with protected lands across tropical regions. Its authors urge governments to curb industrial activity in high-biodiversity areas and strengthen local and Indigenous land rights.

Water Governance: At the Luanda Biennial, President Félix Tshisekedi defended the DRC’s sovereignty over its water resources while calling for regional cooperation that also protects ecosystems. The Congo and Ubangi river basins make shared water management a major issue for the country. Biodiversity Protection: A new report warns that 29% of key biodiversity areas in the Congo Basin remain unprotected. It says governments must curb extractive activity in high-biodiversity areas and strengthen local and Indigenous communities’ role in conservation to meet the global 30-by-30 target. Shared Rivers: Zambia and the DRC have validated an agreement to establish a joint authority for the Luapula River and Lake Mweru, aiming to manage shared waters, support livelihoods and build climate resilience. The agreement is expected to be signed later this year.

Mining and Biodiversity: A new report warns that 29% of key biodiversity areas in the Congo Basin remain unprotected, while oil, gas and mining concessions overlap protected lands across tropical regions. It calls for stronger safeguards and local communities’ land rights. Kolwezi’s Expanding Mines: Copper and cobalt operations are pushing into residential areas, leaving residents facing relocation as mining expands beneath neighborhoods in the country’s mining capital. Shared Waters: The DRC and Zambia have validated an agreement to jointly manage the Luapula River and Lake Mweru, aiming to protect water resources, support fishing and farming, and strengthen climate resilience.

Biodiversity: A new report warns that 29% of key biodiversity areas in the Congo Basin remain unprotected. Across tropical countries, protected lands also overlap with tens of millions of hectares of oil, gas and mining concessions, putting the global 30-by-30 nature target at risk. Mining Pressure: In Kolwezi, copper and cobalt operations are advancing beneath residential neighborhoods, putting residents at risk of relocation. The city sits at the heart of a global race for critical minerals. Shared Waters: Zambia and the DRC have validated an agreement to jointly manage the Luapula River and Lake Mweru basin, supporting water security, fisheries and climate resilience. The countries plan to sign the agreement and establish a joint authority.

Cross-Border Waters: Zambia and the DRC have validated an agreement to jointly manage the Luapula River and Lake Mweru, aiming to protect shared water resources, support fishing and farming, and improve climate resilience. Mining Pressure: In Kolwezi, expanding copper and cobalt mines are encroaching on neighborhoods, putting residents at risk of relocation as demand for critical minerals grows. Mineral Accountability: Belgian police searched properties linked to President Félix Tshisekedi’s family in a money-laundering investigation stemming from allegations of mineral-resource diversion; the First Lady denies the accusations and says she will cooperate.

Mining Pressure: Kolwezi’s copper and cobalt boom is pushing mines into residential areas, putting homes and residents at risk of relocation. One resident says mining has reached beneath his yard, where he now has a well. Shared Waters: The DRC and Zambia have validated an agreement to jointly manage the Luapula River and Lake Mweru basin, with plans to protect water resources, support fishing and farming, and strengthen climate resilience.

Mining’s Local Toll: In Kolwezi, copper and cobalt operations are expanding into residential areas, leaving families facing relocation as mines encroach on homes and yards. The pressure reflects a global race for minerals used in batteries and clean-energy infrastructure. Conflict and Minerals: Fighting in eastern DRC continues around mineral corridors and supply routes, including Rubaya, a major coltan source. The conflict links control of critical resources to civilian insecurity and the global energy transition. Shared Waters: The DRC and Zambia validated an agreement to jointly manage the Luapula River and Lake Mweru basin, aiming to protect shared water resources, support fishing and farming, reduce local disputes and strengthen climate resilience.

Shared Waters: Zambia and the DRC have validated an agreement to jointly manage the Luapula River and Lake Mweru basin. The proposed authority aims to protect water resources, support fishing and farming, reduce local conflicts and build climate resilience. Mining Pressure: In Kolwezi, expanding copper and cobalt operations are pushing into residential areas. Residents face relocation as mines extend beneath neighborhoods, bringing the costs of the global minerals rush into people’s homes. Minerals and Conflict: Fighting in eastern DRC continues around mineral corridors and supply routes. The struggle over resources such as coltan, vital to electronics, underscores how mineral wealth is tied to armed conflict and threats to local communities.

Mining Pressure: In Kolwezi, copper and cobalt mining is spreading into residential areas, putting residents at risk of relocation as open-pit and artisanal digging advances beneath neighborhoods. Eastern Conflict: Former president Joseph Kabila’s new alliance with M23 adds a political-military force to a conflict already disrupting mineral corridors and civilian supply lines. Shared Waters: Zambia and the DRC have validated an agreement to jointly manage the Luapula River and Lake Mweru basin, with goals including protecting water resources, supporting fishing and farming, reducing local disputes and strengthening climate resilience. Formal signing and the creation of a joint authority are still pending.

Shared Waters: Zambia and the DRC have validated an agreement to jointly manage the Luapula River and Lake Mweru basin, aiming to protect water resources, support fishing and farming, reduce local conflicts and build climate resilience. A formal authority is expected to follow. Mining Pressure: In Kolwezi, copper and cobalt expansion is encroaching on neighbourhoods, putting residents at risk of relocation as demand for minerals used in batteries and power grids grows. Resource Conflict: Fighting in the east continues around mineral corridors, underscoring how control of resources such as coltan is tied to the conflict and complicates peace efforts. Mining Oversight: Belgian investigators searched properties linked to President Félix Tshisekedi’s family in a money-laundering probe involving allegations of mineral-resource diversion; First Lady Denise Nyakeru Nkana denies the accusations and says she will cooperate.

Shared Waters: Zambia and the DRC have validated an agreement to jointly manage the Luapula River and Lake Mweru basin, aiming to protect water resources, strengthen climate resilience and support fishing and food production. Mining Pressure: In Kolwezi, expanding copper and cobalt mines are pushing into residential areas, putting residents at risk of relocation and bringing industrial and artisanal mining close to homes. Minerals and Conflict: Fighting in eastern DRC continues around mineral corridors, including Rubaya, a major source of coltan used in electronics. The conflict highlights the risks of a global race for critical minerals that can leave local communities exposed to violence and resource extraction.

Mining Pressure: Kolwezi’s copper and cobalt boom is pushing mines into residential areas, leaving families facing relocation. The DRC produces about 70% of the world’s cobalt, but expansion is bringing extraction closer to homes and local communities. Shared Waters: Zambia and the DRC have validated an agreement to jointly manage the Luapula River and Lake Mweru basin, aiming to protect water resources, support fishing and farming, and strengthen climate resilience. A joint authority is planned. Minerals and Conflict: Fighting in eastern DRC continues around mineral-rich areas and supply routes, underlining the risks to communities and resource governance as global demand for critical minerals grows.