CLIMATE ACTION IN SOUTH SUDAN: CHILDREN CALL ON LEADERS TO ACT NOW AHEAD OF COP29

Members of the children's parliament from 8 schools in Juba, including those from Maban and government officials discuss ways of addressing climate change that affects service delivery in South Sudan.

Hon. Mary James Kong (3rd left), the Chairperson of the Specialised Committee on Environment and Forestry in the National Legislative Assembly, Save the Children's Country Director and Members of Children's Parliament. Photo: Cicilia Ade Hillary / Save the Children.

JUBA - Save the Children organised a child-led climate change simulation exercise as one of the key activities ahead of the COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, where two children will represent the voices of South Sudanese children at the event.

South Sudan is ranked 7 in the world in terms of children's exposure to the impact of climate change, according to an assessment conducted by UNICEF. In October 2024, UN OCHA reported that about 1 million people have been affected by flash floods in about 40 counties and the Abyei Administrative Area in South Sudan.

“As I speak on this podium, I am representing the unheard voices of my brothers and sisters in Pibor, Jonglei, Renk, Aweil, Abyei, and all other states in South Sudan. Climate change is a threat to education, livelihood, and our future. It is through education that our country will prosper”, Hon. Keji Francis, Member of the Children’s Parliament.

Children have asked for an increase in national fiscal annual budget allocation to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry for the government to mitigate impacts of climate change and adapt to its effects.

“If schools are being drowned or destroyed and children are killed due to flooding and its effects, what is the future of this nation", Hon. Awoal Chol William, Member of the Children’s Parliament, told leaders at the climate dialogue in Juba.

The child-led climate dialogue was attended by Hon. Mary James, the Chairperson of the Specialised Committee on Environment and Forestry in the National Legislative Assembly and explored calls for the need to take urgent actions needed to address global climate change, especially in a young nation like South Sudan.

Hon. Mary applauded Save the Children for offering such platforms to discuss issues that affect children and the country. “I have listened to your asks; I will answer some, but some I will forward to the respective institutions. Climate change is real; let us stand together to lead the agenda in mitigating climate change”, Hon. Mary has said.

Save the Children is working closely with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and the Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare to ensure the participation of South Sudan children in COP29 this year in Baku, Azerbaijan.