The Japanese Ambassador to South Sudan urges political leaders in the young country to work for peace and development.
Seiji Okada says implementing projects in South Sudan is difficult because of the ongoing war which is affecting developmental activities.
He made the statement during the opening of the fourth cycle of United Nations Institute of Training and Research, or UNITAR Fellowship Programme in Juba on Tuesday.
The diplomat says the training is focusing on leadership, entrepreneurship and project management skills.
‘We are working very hard to see the real importance and needs for this country for the economic development and for the realizing the peace in this country. So then we make a project, but making a project itself is very difficult even in this country. One of the most important, the condition for the success of implementation is peace and sustainability for this country. Otherwise is very difficult for donors to implement a project’. Mr Okada adds.
Okada urges participants to work on projects based on the needs of the people.
He says, ‘You are the people [participants] responsible to make projects in this country based on the needs of the people. You are also the one who implement the project whether government sector, media, NGO or other agencies. So this UNITAR project is a very, very good chance for you to learn the skills.’
The Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Isaac Chinkok Kenti urges the trainees to be resilient, determined and focused.
The training brought together government officials, civil society representatives, media houses and other agencies.
The UNITAR program started in 2015 with the aim of increasing skills for professionals.