New cooperation agreement between Belgium and the DRC
(Belga) After a few difficult years, Belgium and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have agreed on a new cooperation programme. The agreement, which is expected to be signed on Monday, focuses on Congolese women and young people, Minister for Development Cooperation Frank Vandenbroucke announced on Saturday.
The last cooperation agreement between the two countries dates back to 2010. After a difficult period, Brussels and Kinshasa have been seeking to restore their relations since 2019, which has given rise to this new five-year cooperation plan, which will run from 2023 to 2027. Belgium will inject 50 million euros per year. The plan focuses on Congolese women and young people. In addition to projects that will guide young people towards basic education, vocational training, decent work and entrepreneurship, the program will focus on making health care financially and physically accessible and on combating sexual violence. In addition, the protection of Congolese forests and good governance are at the heart of the program. By sealing this new program, Belgium and Congo want to look to the future together, said Minister Vandenbroucke. “Almost half of the Congolese population is under 15 and 68% is under 25. There is huge potential here. We want to give as many young people as possible every opportunity to get training, find a good job and even start their own business. Investing in them means investing in a sustainable and prosperous future for the whole country”, continued the socialist minister. The cooperation agreement will be signed on Monday in Brussels, in the presence of Minister Vandenbroucke and Congolese Foreign Minister Christophe Lutundula. (Belgian)