South Sudan

Your Excellency Dennis Francis, President of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly,

Your Excellency, Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations,

Your Majesties,

Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government,

Distinguished delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Before my remarks, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the people of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Libya who have lost their loved ones in the recent natural calamities. South Sudan stands in solidarity with them during this difficult moment in their respective countries.

Excellencies,

On behalf of the People and Government of the Republic of South Sudan, I stand before you today to reaffirm our commitment to world peace and security. We are committed to global efforts aimed at addressing challenges that we face as a human family. We are also committed to multilateralism and international cooperation as the best means of achieving our shared aspirations. Within this context, we are hopeful that together we can rebuild trust among member states - and reignite global solidarity on the basis of sovereign equality of all states - as enshrined in the founding Charter of this esteemed organization.

Excellencies,

We recognize the urgency of challenges before us. We are also aware of a concerted action required to address these challenges in order to ensure a better future for the coming generation. To this effect, South Sudan has developed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Rescue Plan with a focus on seven SDG targets. This plan provides a roadmap of a better future for our people.

And given that education is the key that will allow us to achieve other SDGs rapidly, I am pleased to report that South Sudan has made some progress in its education sector since our independence in 2011. Our constitution for example, guarantees all children free access to education. We have also designated education as a human right of every child. In February this year, I directed the ministry of education to implement free primary and secondary education policy across the country. This policy has directly led to enrolment of 2.3 million children in our schools. To ensure that girls stay in schools, we have banned child marriages through an act of Parliament. More importantly, we have increased education budget with the goal paying teachers a living wage.

In the health sector, we plan to dedicate resources towards providing affordable and standard heath care. And this will be done through primary healthcare approach that is inclusive and cost effective.

Excellencies,

On Climate Change, South Sudan is dedicated to addressing its adverse impact. We plan to prioritize sustainable land use, promote renewable energy, and collaborate with international partners to reduce carbon emissions and protect our environment for generations to come. While working on this, it is only fair for us to call upon developed countries cut their emission by 45% and honour their pledges of availing funds for Mitigation, Adaptation and Loss and Damage to the developing countries. With the recently concluded Africa Climate Summit held in Nairobi, Kenya, it is high time that the declaration of the Summit forms the new basis for rebuilding trust and regaining global solidarity for attaining the 2030 agenda.

Excellencies,

We acknowledge the political, humanitarian and security challenges we have faced as a country since 2013. However, we have turned the corner with the signing of the Revitalized Peace Agreement in 2018. Now, we are determined to build on the commitments of our Revised National Development Strategy (2021-2024) to consolidate peace and stabilize the economy. The on-going public financial management reforms and the recently concluded National Economic Conference form a solid basis for sound management of public resources for the benefit of our citizens.

What remains now is to fast track the implementation of the remaining provisions in the Agreement – in order to conclude the transitional period peacefully through fair, transparent and credible elections in 2024. We have also engaged in dialogue and consultation with various stakeholders, including civil society, women, youth, traditional leaders, and opposition groups, to ensure that our peace process is owned and driven by our people.

As we move in this direction, we call upon the Unites Nations to lift the arm embargo imposed on us to aid peace implementation and to secure the elections. The arms embargo has impeded the implementation of security arrangements because effective deployment of the Unified Forces we graduated cannot happen without arms.

Excellencies,

As the country sharing the border with the Republic of Sudan, South Sudan has received thousands of Sudanese refugees and returnees since the conflict broke out in the Sudan in April. This influx has overwhelmed our border communities and created a humanitarian crisis. I am appealing to the International Community to avail resources to help refugees and displaced persons who crossed into South Sudan. While the world is dealing with multiple crisis, we call for a provision of sustained support to these displaced persons as we work on how to restore peace and stability in Sudan.

In closing, South Sudan stands before this esteemed assembly as a resolute partner in the collective pursuits of a better future for all. I extent our hand of friendship to fellow member States, international organizations, and civil society. Thank you for your kind attention.