00:00 (Pause)
00:26 Your Excellency, Denis Francis, President of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly.
00:43 Your Excellency, Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.
00:54 Your Majesties, Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government, Distinguished Delegates,
01:06 Ladies and Gentlemen,
01:12 Before my remarks, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the people of
01:21 the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Libya who have lost their loved ones in the
01:30 recent natural calamities.
01:33 South Sudan stands in solidarity with them during this difficult moment in their respective
01:45 countries.
01:48 On behalf of the people and government of the Republic of South Sudan, I stand before
01:58 you today to reaffirm our commitment to world peace and security.
02:08 We are committed to global efforts aimed at addressing challenges that we face as a human
02:22 family.
02:25 We are also committed to multilateralism and international cooperation as the best means
02:40 of achieving our shared aspirations.
02:46 Within this context, we are hopeful that together we can rebuild trust among member states and
03:05 ignite global solidarity on the basis of sovereign equality of all states as enshrined in the
03:24 founding charter of this esteemed organization.
03:36 Excellencies, we recognize the urgency of challenges before us.
03:52 We are also aware of concerted effort, action required to address these challenges in order
04:11 to ensure a better future for the coming generations.
04:18 To this effect, South Sudan has developed sustainable development goals.
04:32 Sustainable plan with a focus on seven SDG targets.
04:49 This plan provides a roadmap of a better future for our people.
04:58 And given that education is the key that will allow us to achieve our SDGs rapidly, I am
05:12 pleased to report that South Sudan has made some progress in its education sector.
05:25 Since our independence in 2011, our constitution, for example, grantees all children free access
05:43 to education.
05:47 We have also designated education as a human right of every child.
05:58 In February this year, I directed the Ministry of Education to implement free primary and
06:08 secondary education policy across the country.
06:20 This policy has directly led to enrollment of 2.3 million children in our schools to
06:35 ensure that girls stay in schools.
06:41 We have banned child marriages through an act of Parliament.
06:53 More importantly, we have increased education budget with the goal of paying teachers a
07:07 living wage.
07:16 In the health sector, we plan to dedicate resources towards providing affordable and
07:38 standard health care.
07:44 And this will be done through primary health care approach that is inclusive and cost-effective.
07:53 Excellencies, on climate change, South Sudan is dedicated to addressing its adverse impact.
08:12 We plan to prioritize sustainable land use, promote renewable energy, and collaborate
08:40 with international partners to reduce carbon emissions and protect our environment for
08:54 generations to come.
08:58 While working on this, it is only fair for us to call upon developed countries
09:22 to cut their emissions by 45 percent and honor their pledges of availing funds for mitigation,
09:36 adaptation, and loss and damage to the developing countries.
09:47 With the recently concluded Africa Climate Summit held in Nairobi, Kenya, it is high
09:58 time that the declaration of the summit forms the new crisis for rebuilding trust and regaining
10:15 global solidarity for attaining the 2030 agenda.
10:26 Excellencies, we acknowledge the political, humanitarian, and security challenges we have
10:37 faced as a country since 2013.
10:43 However, we have turned the corner with the signing of the Revitalize Peace Agreement
10:57 in 2018.
11:00 Now we are determined to build on the commitments of our Revised National Development Strategy
11:21 2021-2024 to consolidate peace and stabilize the economy.
11:36 Following public financial management reforms and the recently
11:55 concluded National Economic Conference from solid basis for sound management of public
12:12 resources for the benefit of our citizens.
12:20 Our aim now is to fast track the implementation of the remaining provisions in the agreement
12:39 in order to conclude the transitional period peacefully through fair, transparent, and
12:50 credible elections in 2024.
12:55 We have also managed to engage in dialogue and consultation with the various stakeholders,
13:11 including civil society, women, youth, traditional leaders, and opposition groups to ensure that
13:25 our peace process is owned and driven by our own people.
13:35 As we move in this direction, we call upon the United Nations to lift the arms embargo
13:47 imposed on us to aid peace implementation and to secure the elections.
13:59 The arms embargo has impeded the implementation of security arrangements because effective
14:14 deployment of the unified forces which we have graduated cannot happen without arms.
14:27 Excellencies, as the country sharing the border with the Republic of Sudan, South Sudan, and
14:44 Sudan has received thousands of Sudanese refugees and our returnees since the conflict broke
14:55 out in the Sudan in April 2023.
15:04 This influx has overwhelmed our border communities and created a humanitarian crisis.
15:16 I'm appealing to the international community to avail resources to help refugees and displaced
15:34 persons who crossed into South Sudan.
15:40 While the world is dealing with a multiple crisis, we call for a provision of sustained
15:51 support to these displaced persons as we work on how to restore peace and stability in Sudan.
16:08 In closing, South Sudan stands before this esteemed assembly as a resolute partner in
16:24 the collective pursuit of a better future for all.
16:32 I extend our hand of friendship to fellow member states, international organizations,
16:47 and civil society.
16:50 Thank you very much for your kind attention to these new remarks.
17:03 Thank you.
17:03 (Applause.)
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