Objectives

This project aims to support the OSESG-GL in the context of the implementation of the PSC Framework with the objective of promoting peace, security, and cooperation in the Great Lakes region.

Components

The project supports peace and stability in the Great Lakes Region through the good offices of the United Nations Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region (GLR) and backing for key regional processes such as the Nairobi and Luanda Processes. It provides support to regional security cooperation, judicial collaboration, and Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration efforts, and the implementation of the Nairobi and Kinshasa Declarations. It also enhances the capacity of women to participate in political and peace processes and advance the Women, Peace and Security agenda, and the role of youth in peace consolidation, conflict prevention, and resolution. Additionally, it supports economic cooperation, the transparent management of natural resources, particularly gold, as well as the implementation and resource mobilization of the United Nations Regional Strategy.

Main achievements

In 2024, the project’s support included (i) good offices on the Nairobi and Luanda Processes and responses to the ongoing deterioration of the security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC); (ii) a verification mission by the Operational Cell in South Kivu province confirming the identity and status of 161 Forces Nationales de Libération elements who expressed willingness to repatriate to Burundi; (iii) the completion of a three-day workshop in Tanzania with the Contact and Coordination Group countries, resulting in adoption of the terms of reference for a regional working group on Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration, Repatriation, and Resettlement; (iv) the support to the third meeting of the Review Committee on implementing the Nairobi and Kinshasa Declarations, which concluded with a set of recommendations; (v) convening the Great Lakes Judicial Cooperation Network in Kenya, resulting in adoption of a draft common criminal policy; (vi) the development of the first regional Gender Barometer for the Great Lakes Region (GLR) and a dialogue session on Youth Action in protracted conflicts in the GLR; (vii) a joint advocacy mission to France with the Executive Secretary of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and DRC mining authorities, identifying key collaboration areas between DRC, France, ICGLR, and the United Nations; (viii) the support to the Wilton Park High-level Round Table in the United Kingdom, identifying strategies to scale small- and medium-sized enterprises in the Great Lakes; and (ix) the support for the fifth drafting meeting of the African Union Model Law on Mineral Resources Development in Addis Ababa, where the Special Envoy supported incorporating provisions to harmonize artisanal mining laws.

In 2025, the Special Envoy’s good offices helped de-escalate tensions in eastern DRC and supported regional peace processes, coordinating with international efforts. The project continued assisting the Contact and Coordination Group (CCG) in facilitating the repatriation of FNL elements and their dependents to Burundi. Following the third Review Committee meeting on the Kinshasa Declaration, the project facilitated ongoing consultations among regional countries to combat cross-border criminal activities.

Several events promoted women’s meaningful participation in peace efforts, including briefings by women and youth representatives during the 12th Heads of State Summit of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the PSCF.

On the sidelines of the 2025 OECD Forum on Responsible Mineral Supply Chains in Paris, Special Envoy Xia, the EU Special Representative for the Great Lakes region, and the ICGLR Secretariat co-organized a meeting with European government officials and private sector stakeholders to mobilize support for regional natural resource governance.

To advance the United Nations Regional Strategy, the project organized the second meeting of Regional Directors of United Nations Agencies, Funds, and Programmes to enhance collaboration, in partnership with IOM. The project also convened the third annual meeting of the Senior Policy Group, during which the 2025–2027 Action Plan was endorsed by United Nations entity principals participating in the United Nations Regional Strategy.

Impact

This project maintains momentum in the region, supporting a more effective implementation of the PSC Framework through a collaborative and integrated approach, for enhanced region and national and regional ownership.