Finance Ministry Launches South Sudan Development Plan
By Kidega Livingstone
Juba — The Ministry of Finance and Planning, under the leadership of Athian Diing Athian, officially launched the South Sudan Development Plan (SSDP) 2026–2036 during a high-profile ceremony attended by senior government officials and development partners.
In his keynote address, Minister Athian described the launch as “a pivotal moment in our nation’s journey — a step toward a future defined by stability, resilience, and sustainable development.” He emphasized that the SSDP serves as a strategic framework designed to turn the aspirations of the South Sudanese people into reality.
Minister Athian further stressed that the success of the SSDP hinges on shared responsibility, cooperation, and partnership across all stakeholders. He noted that the new plan builds on lessons from previous national strategies to tackle systemic challenges while charting a path toward economic diversification and greater resilience.
UN Resident Coordinator, Anita Kiki, underlined the gravity of current challenges facing the country, stating, “South Sudan continues to face renewed threats driven by overlapping humanitarian, economic, and political-security crises, compounded by conflict in Sudan, climate shocks, and disease outbreaks.” She added, “These pressures weigh heavily on the country’s stability and development prospects, making dialogue, public peace commitments, and inclusive engagement essential to moving forward.”
Madam Kiki also remarked that development partners view the shift from medium- to long-term planning as a crucial opportunity to reset the country’s development trajectory.
Meanwhile, Michael Ayuen, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Finance and Economic Planning, praised the Ministry and its partners for their efforts in crafting a decade-long development plan. He assured that the National Assembly would closely monitor the process and contribute input to secure holistic endorsement of the document.
The SSDP 2026–2036 is slated to begin in June of next year, in line with the new budget calendar.
