Vietnam calls for international support for South Sudan

A malnourished child in South Sudan (Photo: AFP/VNA)

New York – Vietnamese Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Head of the Vietnamese mission to the UN, voiced his hope that the UN, regional organisations and international partners continue support for South Sudan during the country’s transitional process.

Quy, who is also chairman of the UNSC’s Committee on South Sudan (Committee 2206), made the statement while co-chairing an online meeting of the committee with Virginia Gamba, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict on October 16.

On behalf of Vietnam, Ambassador Quy hailed positive progress in South Sudan’s political-security situation since the transitional government was established in February 2020, saying it has helped facilitate the protection of vulnerable groups, including children.

He took the occasion to urge the South Sudanese government to continue implementing the Action Plan to end and prevent all grave violations against children, and work more to ensure children’s access to food, education and healthcare.

According to Virginia Gamba, the number of child casualties has decreased significantly since a ceasefire agreement was reached in 2018.

She spoke highly of the transitional government’s efforts in protecting children in recent years, including the signing of the Action Plan with the UN in February 2020.

However, she stressed that children in South Sudan continue to face tremendous challenges amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, humanitarian crisis, and increasing violence among communities.

Members of the Committee 2206 shared the Special Representative’s point, and emphasized on the necessity to protect children.

Committee 2206, established pursuant to the UNSC’s Resolution 2206, is mandated to supervise the implementation of measures to enhance assurance of peace and security in South Sudan. Vietnam assumes the role of chair of the committee in the 2020-2021 tenure.