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13 June 2024, Juba, South Sudan??

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The power of you ¨C the women¡¯s organizations, peacebuilders, human rights defenders, and of course, women peacekeepers ¨C doing the seen, and often unseen, heavy lifting to help bring about a future that is bright, stable, equitable and accountable to the promise of peace in the Republic of South Sudan, and the wider region.??

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Indeed, you are working in a challenging political and security landscape.??

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And equally, you are registering formidable gains.??

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Thanks to the tireless work of women in uniform, South Sudan¡¯s security sector today has a women¡¯s network supporting women to find ways to boost their participation in the country¡¯s peace process.1??

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We also see greater integration of female engagement teams ¨C responding to cultural and other unique concerns across South Sudan¡¯s diverse communities.??

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And I highly commend the capacity-building activities that women in uniform have carried out in response to sexual gender-based violence and conflict related sexual violence.??

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This is particularly important for ensuring the fulfillment of human rights for all people in South Sudan ¨C including the rights to health and education, and particularly for young women and girls.????

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Indeed, women in uniform are role models, inspiring tomorrow¡¯s women and girls to advocate for their own rights and participation ¨C in South Sudan, the wider region and around the world.???

To reinforce these efforts, the General Assembly is exploring ways and means to support the women, peace and security agenda ¨C by ensuring a holistic Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ approach to interventions on this theme.??

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I will do my part to harness the General Assembly¡¯s main strength: mobilizing Member States around the political, economic, humanitarian, social and human rights issues that animate the work of the entire Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ system.??

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With that, I turn the floor over to you.??

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I thank you again for your generosity of time today.??

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I look forward to an active exchange of ideas on how to achieve a peaceful, prosperous and inclusive future in South Sudan.??