South Sudan’s government on Thursday held the first-ever ambassadors forum to enhance and empower its foreign policy.
The Foreign Affairs ministry organized the two-day event under the theme, “Empowering and Enhancing the Foreign Policy of R-TGONU”.
Speaking during the opening of the conference in Juba, Vice-President James Wani Igga said it was the right time to convene the forum to discuss crucial issues for not only the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but the entire nation.
“We have to promote our interest by using peaceful means on foreign policy. It’s high time for our diplomacy and foreign policy to be more vigorous, effective on region and international levels as our country is going to open a new page and form government in the coming month of November,” Igga said.
He pledged to support the ministry of foreign affairs, saying enough funds will be allocated for its smooth running. “The ministry is facing some financial issues… this needs to be quickly resolved such that there are no excuses from ambassadors to carry out their missions,” he stressed.
For her part, the Foreign Affairs minister, Awut Deng Achuil said the conference was held to discuss crucial issues like foreign policy, among others.
Awut explained that the event seeks to brief heads of diplomatic missions on the final stages of the implementation of the peace agreement and the draft foreign policy document.
Through the conference, she noted, ambassadors would be informed of the challenges and opportunities that might come after formation of the transitional government.
Several foreign diplomats attended the conference in Juba.