By Alan Clement
The United Nations has called on South Sudan’s government and stakeholders to prioritize dialogue and inclusivity as the country launched its first long-term National Development Plan (NDP).
Speaking at the launch of the 10-year NDP in Juba on Wednesday, Anita Kiki, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and UN Resident Coordinator in South Sudan, emphasized that political consensus and public commitments to peace are critical if the plan is to succeed.
“Resolving differences through dialogue, making public commitments to peace and the revitalized agreement and engaging all voices and viewpoints will be critical to the country’s progress,” said Kiki.
The NDP aims to reset South Sudan’s development trajectory by transitioning from medium-term strategies to a comprehensive 10-year framework, with the plan expected to align with both the United Nations 2030 Agenda and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
She noted that while South Sudan has recorded progress in areas such as literacy and public health since independence, persistent political divisions, the conflict in Sudan, climate shocks and disease outbreaks continue to undermine stability and development.
Kiki urged the government to ensure the process is realistic, inclusive, and aligned with the national budget, while allocating resources to key sectors such as health, education and agriculture.
“The National Development Plan must be used as a platform for peace-building, economic recovery, and social cohesion aligned with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda and the African Union’s Agenda 2063,” said Anita Kiki
The launch comes amid renewed challenges facing South Sudan, including humanitarian crises, economic instability, and the spillover effects of the conflict in neighboring Sudan. Despite these pressures, the UN sees the NDP as a vital opportunity to lay the foundation for sustainable development.
“I very much welcome this opportunity to engage, because ultimately the United Nations remains committed to supporting South Sudan in attaining its vision of a peaceful, prosperous and stable nation, where no one, especially its most vulnerable women, youth and marginalized, are left behind,” she concluded.