By Lodu William Odiya
The National Transitional Legislative Assembly have revealed a move to form a parliamentary taskforce to implement seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the country.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a set of seventeen goals established by United Nations in 2025 to address a wide range of global challenges which included poverty, inequality, climate change, peace and justice.
In a report read by Samuel Buhori Lotti, the committee leader, emphasized that South Sudan being a member of the United Nations committed to the achievement of the SDGs by 20230.
“The Transitional Legislative Assembly has a role to monitor and track the implementation of Government policies and actions towards these goals” Buhori said.
Buhori underscored that in April 2015, the 132nd Inter-parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly adopted the Hanoi Declaration entitled “The Sustainable Development Goals. Turning words into Actions”.
He emphasized that the parliaments committed to doing their utmost to strengthen national ownership, translate the goals into enforceable domestic laws and regulations and hold the government accountable for the goals they subscribed to.
Buhori highlighted that through their Legislative, budgetary and oversight roles, parliaments directly influence how the SDGs are reflected in national policies and how effectively they are implemented.
“Parliaments also serves as a bridge between citizens and the state, making them uniquely positioned to ensure that no one is left behind the development process” he stated.
He added that the taskforce would develop its constitution and strategic plans with the joint support of the Transitional national legislative Assembly and partners that would be the guiding documents for its operation and oversight activities.
Buhori urged the August house to deliberate on the report with the seriousness it deserves and adopt the concept paper on the formation of the South Sudan Parliamentary Tasks Force on sustainable development Goals (SDGs) to help the country and the citizens achieve these goals for the improvement of their livelihood.
Eradicating poverty and ameliorating the livelihood of citizens in all its forms remains one of the greatest challenges facing humanity.
A surge in action and investment to enhance economic opportunities, improve education and extend social protection to all, particularly the most excluded, is crucial to deliver on the central commitment to end poverty and leave no one behind.
As the primary institution of accountability at the national level, where the SDGs will apply most immediately, parliaments must play a critical role in carrying forward the new agenda.