Objectives

The project aims to support the work of the O/SESG-GL in the implementation of the UN Regional Strategy in line with the PSC Framework and thus contribute to accelerating progress towards regional cooperation.

Components

The project tackles the problem of mistrust among countries of the region by supporting the good offices of the Special Envoy to explore options for better support to regional efforts aimed at reinforcing confidence among countries and relevant stakeholders, as further developed in security cooperation (Pillar 1). Bearing in mind the root causes and drivers of instability, notably poverty, the continued activities of armed groups, the illegal exploitation and trade of minerals and other natural resources, challenges in governance, limited or lack of access to justice, social exclusion for certain groups, the project provides support to the security cooperation (Pillar 1), judicial cooperation (Pillar 2), gender empowerment and youth engagement (Pillar 3), economic integration and sustainable management of natural resources (Pillar 4). With regard to challenges encountered in regional cooperation, especially lack/weakness of capacity of regional organizations, the project empowers regional stakeholders by building their capacities and supporting them in the project’s implementation (Pillar 5).

The five pillars identified in the project are in line with the SESG’s mandates and in the same spirit as the Regional Strategy, recently developed by the Office of the Special Envoy and approved by the Secretary-General.

Main achievements

In response to the deteriorating security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Special Envoy continued his good offices, conducting missions to countries in the region, including the DRC, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Angola, Tanzania, Kenya, Namibia, and Botswana, where he met with senior government officials.

The project supported two Operational Cell missions in South Kivu, DRC (March and May 2023), identifying 161 Forces nationales de libération members willing to voluntarily disarm and return to Burundi. It also contributed to profiling foreign armed groups and funded the 6th Annual Meeting of the Contact and Coordination Group (CCG) intelligence services, which adopted a new 2024–2026 Work Plan. Missions to Burundi and Uganda advanced regional consultations on cross-border natural resource-related crimes, and a Regional Review Committee met in November 2023 to assess judicial cooperation efforts.

The project facilitated engagement with women, youth, and CSOs, supporting a technical dialogue in February, participation in the Technical Support Committee (TSC) and the Regional Oversight Mechanism (ROM) meetings, and the development of a regional gender barometer. It also enabled five women entrepreneurs to attend a regional trade mission in Kinshasa.

A joint advocacy mission to China in September helped mobilize support for the Regional Initiative on Natural Resources (RINR). The project also supported the Private Sector Forum in Lusaka, the 26th ICGLR Natural Resources Committee in Luanda, and a regional artisanal gold forum in Kinshasa, which launched the ASM gold strategy and chain of custody. In November, Uganda launched the ICGLR certification for 3TG minerals, supported by the project.

Finally, the project strengthened coordination under the UN Regional Strategy and supported resource mobilization, including through an expert meeting in Brussels in March 2023.

Impact

The project has contributed to greater trust and commitment to cooperation generated among the countries at the core of the PSC Framework.