South Sudan’s VP to attend UN General Assembly
September 17, 2022 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s Vice President, Hussein Abdel Bagi Akol will represent his country at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Akol led a delegation comprised of the Minister of General Education and Instructions, Awut Deng Achuil, Minister of Presidential Affairs, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, Minister of Health, Yolanda Awel Deng, Minister of Peace Building, Stephen Par Kuol, Minister of Environment, Josephine Napwon Cosmos, Deputy Minister of Finance Agok Makur, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Lily Albino Akol Akol.
Also on the team are the governors of Central Equatoria and Jonglei states.
Akol, his office said in a statement, will address the 77th UN General Assembly.
“I have just left Juba with my accompanying delegation for New York to attend the 77th United Nations General Assembly discussing political uncertainties, the energy crises, climate change, COVID-19 pandemic, and transforming education summit under the theme “A watershed moment: transformative solutions to interlocking challenges,” it read in part.
The Vice President is also expected to brief the assembly on progress made in the implementation of the revitalised peace agreement signed in September 2018.
“….my accompanying delegation and I will convene and participate in several sideline meetings with partners and friends of South Sudan towards addressing the humanitarian situation and economic crisis,” further noted the statement.
It remains unclear why President Salva Kiir did not attend the annual event. Last year, Vice President James Wani Igga represented South Sudan at the UN Assembly.
(ST)