24 October 2013 - South Sudan had become more stable and democratic since independence, but bigger strides were needed in coming months, the mission’s top official said at UN Day celebrations today in Juba.

The country needed to consolidate its still fragile institutions, build a solid basis and help it deliver to its people, said Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Hilde F. Johnson.

That was where this year’s UN Day theme – One South Sudan, One UN -- came in, the SRSG said, noting that South Sudan’s struggle had been linked to the UN for decades.

“Through Operation Lifeline Sudan, South Sudanese received critical humanitarian assistance,” she said. “Since then, the United Nations helped ensure that the CPA (Comprehensive Peace Agreement) was implemented, and that the referendum on self-determination took place. Without the UN, this would not have happened.”

She said South Sudan’s beauty lay with its diversity, which was also its strength. “One South Sudan means nurturing this diversity into becoming an asset, a value that strengthens your national identity, not something that threatens to tear you apart.”

With oil now flowing and relations with Sudan improving, the time had come to consolidate peace and stability, focus on state and nation building and deliver peace dividends, the SRSG said.

“The new Government of South Sudan has undertaken to initiate governance reforms, boost the country’s non-oil sector, develop infrastructure, and improve delivery of services in the rural areas,” Ms. Johnson said. “We feel a new sense of energy behind these ambitious goals.”

Ms. Johnson read Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for the Day, which stressed united efforts for worldwide progress.

“This year again, we saw the United Nations come together on armed conflict, human rights, the environment and many other issues,’ Mr. Ban said. “We continue to show what collective action can do. We can do even more. In a world that is more connected, we must be more united.”

Also addressing the gathering, South Sudanese Foreign Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin noted that the UN was assisting the country with its disarmament programme, protection of civilians, security sector reforms and humanitarian assistance.

The country would continue to encourage rural development, service delivery, wildlife preservation and control of deforestation, Mr. Benjamin said. “Despite the destructive war that continued in this country for a very long time, today South Sudan can pride itself to have the biggest wildlife migration on earth.”

He said health services were moving ahead in controlling HIV malaria and tuberculosis. South Sudan also had human rights conventions sitting in the National Assembly, which hopefully would soon be ratified.

Mr. Benjamin also noted that relations had improved between Sudan and South Sudan. “It wouldn’t matter what side of the bed our friends in Sudan wake up on, they sing and are still singing the song of peace with the Republic of South Sudan.”

But he said tremendous challenges remained, including Abyei and its referendum (on whether to be part of Sudan or South Sudan).

“The people of Abyei have suffered tremendously and the time has come … (for a) final solution of that territory that guarantees permanent peace between the two neighbouring countries … based solely on the referendum to be conducted in a fair and just manner."

Drawing on UNMISS military talent, the celebrations also included a Japanese drum show, demonstration of Chinese Kung Fu and Rwandan singers and dancers.

Later in the day, a show at Nyakuron Cultural Centre was to feature a local hip-hop artist, traditional dancing of South Sudanese women, a saxophonist and down home country music.