By William Madouk
South Sudan has become a member of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to boost its economy and industrial development.
According to a press release seen by this outlet, the country has become UNIDO’s 172nd member state, which means all African countries are now members of the organization in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Kuol Athian Mawien, Minister of Trade and Industry of South Sudan said that as the unity government, they are committed to achieving national industrial development goals and objectives.
“I have the honor to express my country’s commitment to a comprehensive partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization towards achieving our national industrial development goals and objectives,” said Mawien.
“This is in line with the African Union Agenda 2063 and, indeed, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” he added.
As a signatory to South Sudan’s recently launched United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023–2025, UNIDO will support the development of greener pathways to sustainable economic growth and diversification.
Also, build essential manufacturing infrastructure to generate decent employment opportunities for youth and women and foster resilience, particularly to the impacts of climate change.
UNIDO Director General, Gerd Müller said, “I know that working together we can help South Sudan into an era of sustainable industrialization that will benefit all its peoples.”
“We will build up our cooperation with the government alongside development partners and the donor community. We will work for sustainable, inclusive growth and a more resilient economy,” he added.
Mr. Müller also noted that “South Sudan’s accession to UNIDO is a signal to the global community that, above all, sustainable industrialization is a key aspiration, especially for least developed countries.”
For years now, UNIDO and South Sudan have enjoyed fruitful cooperation with multiple initiatives implemented to promote food security, resilience, social cohesion, and peace by upgrading the fishery sector, enhancing local skills and value addition, strengthening agro-value chains, and empowering women.
In the Fifth UN Conference on the LDCs, held from March 5–9, 2023, in Doha, Qatar, Müller called for a new, better deal for the LDCs, based on stronger global solidarity, to end hunger, address climate change, and make supply chains fair.
UNIDO is currently formulating a new operational strategy for the LDCs in 2022–2031, in line with the Doha Programme of Action, to support its Member States.