Remarks on UNMISS mandate renewal resolution

15 March 2022

Thank you, Mr. President. I am taking the floor to explain India’s position on the resolution just adopted.

2. India has long standing relations with the people of South Sudan. India was the first Asian country to establish a Consulate in Juba in 2007 after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). We have been extending bilateral assistance by way of projects in agriculture, health and livelihood sectors in South Sudan. Our capacity building training programmes have been deeply appreciated by the South Sudan Government. India has been one of the largest TCCs to UNMISS since its establishment a decade ago; at present we have nearly 2300 troops serving in the country. We believe, during this transformative phase, South Sudan requires the wholehearted support of the international community, including from the IGAD, AU and UN.

3. Mr. President, while my delegation has voted in favour of this important mandate extension, we would like to place on record some of the key concerns that went unaddressed in the adopted text. India’s position on attempts to securitize climate change has been consistent. India is second to none when it comes to climate action and climate justice. But the UN Security Council is not the place to discuss either issue.

4. The UN-led UNFCCC, which has a near universal membership, has been the main driver over the years to take all of us collectively forward, guided by principles and provisions agreed to by all. It represents a balanced global democratic effort where there are concrete commitments from developed countries as well as genuine requirements of developing countries as reflected in nationally determined contributions based on certain fundamental principles, foremost amongst which is CBDR. In our view, the insertion of UNFCCC in PP-25 doesn’t highlight its pre-eminence to address comprehensively all issues related to climate change.

5. We recognize the fact that climate change may have aggravated instability in certain parts of Africa, including in South Sudan. But over-simplification of causes of conflict will not help in resolving them; worse, it can be misleading.

6. To conclude, India will always support real climate action and serious climate justice. We will always speak up for the interests of the developing world, including Africa, the Sahel region and Small Island Developing States, and for our friends and partners like South Sudan. But we will do so at the place it deserves – the UNFCCC.

I thank you Mr. President.