The Government of Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed a funding agreement for USD 2 million to support the 2023 elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) . 

This funding is part of the support to the Electoral Cycle Project (PACE) 2023-2024, which aims to support the conduct of peaceful and inclusive elections in conflict-affected areas of eastern DRC in 2023. 

The initiative intends to help organize elections in the three provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu, as well as to contribute to the prevention and mitigation of violence and conflict before, during, and after the elections. 

Maximizing the diversity of internal and external partners is a priority. These partners include the governance and stabilization pillars of the UNDP DRC office, particular MONUSCO sections, targeted Congolese security forces, other peacebuilding actors such as CENI security officers, as well as national and international civil society organizations.

Japan's Ambassador H.E. MINAMI Hiroyuki expressed hope that with the assistance of all bilateral and multilateral partners, the public will be able to vote in total security across the country.

According to the UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Damien Mama, “Japan's financial contribution demonstrates its commitment to the Congolese government to support the organization of peaceful and inclusive elections in the conflict-affected areas of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The main objective is to improve the inclusiveness and fairness of the electoral process, while strengthening the capacity of community mechanisms and civil protection institutions in their role of early warning and rapid response to the risks of violence, conflict and disasters. These risks may have a negative impact on the various stages of the electoral process, specifically the pre-election, election, and post-election periods, requiring preventive and effective responses.”