4th December, 2023 – Rome, Italy – The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Ramdan Mohammad Abdallah Goc, delivered his opening remarks today at the 174th Council Meeting of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome, Italy.
Accompanied by Amb. Dr. Riek Puok, Director General of Multilateral Affairs, and some diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, as well as South Sudan’s Permanent Representative to FAO, Hon. Ramdan highlighted several vital issues during his address.
Hon. Ramdan further expressed his sincere appreciation for the establishment of the Office of Youth and Women, recognizing the crucial role they play in society.
He reiterated South Sudan’s unwavering commitment to advocating for the inclusion of youth and women in FAO’s organizational structures and other international fora.
Furthermore, the Deputy Minister expressed confidence that the newly established office would significantly contribute to capacity building among youth and women.
Additionally, the Deputy Minister conveyed South Sudan’s steadfast support for FAO’s efforts in fostering partnerships with the private sector. Acknowledging the importance of collaboration between FAO and the private sector, he emphasized South Sudan’s endorsement of FAO’s role in facilitating such partnerships for the benefit of food security and agricultural development.
Regarding the overall food security situation in South Sudan, Hon. Ramdan highlighted its relative stability. However, he emphasized that certain parts of the country are currently facing food shortages due to heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding.
South Sudan is also grappling with the profound repercussions of the ongoing crisis in neighboring Sudan, which has resulted in a significant influx of refugees and returnees. To date, South Sudan has received over 400,000 refugees and 47,000 returnees from Sudan, and the number continues to rise daily due to the deteriorating situation. In light of this humanitarian crisis, the Deputy Minister urgently called upon donors to intensify their efforts to address the situation and provide much-needed assistance to Sudanese refugees in neighboring countries, particularly in South Sudan, Chad, Ethiopia, and Egypt.
The participation of Deputy Minister Hon. Ramdan in the FAO 174th Council Meeting, underscores South Sudan’s unwavering commitment to collaborating with international partners in addressing food security challenges and promoting sustainable agriculture. South Sudan remains dedicated to working closely with FAO and other stakeholders to enhance agricultural productivity, ensure food availability, and improve the livelihoods of its people.
