South Sudan
Date: June 2024
Signed: H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President
From its founding, South Sudan recognized that water and sanitation are not only essential services, but foundational to peace, stability, and economic recovery. In 2011, these priorities were embedded in the Transitional Constitution and the country’s first development plan — signalling a clear commitment to human development alongside national security.
In 2024, South Sudan reinforced this commitment by becoming one of the first countries to sign a Heads of State Initiatives Presidential Compact. Through this high-level political leadership, South Sudan is laying the groundwork to translate constitutional commitments into tangible results — strengthening institutions, increasing investment, and advancing access to water and sanitation as a cornerstone of resilience and long-term stability.
HIGHLIGHTS
Set an ambition to end open defecation within five years
Included all Presidential Compact commitments in the global accountability mechanism, increasing joint action and follow-up
Investments in capital expenditure, institutional strengthening and workforce expansion
National budget allocations for the water sector have expanded in the first two years
In year two, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation received an increase, moving the budget from 2.1 billion South Sudanese Pounds to 64 billion.
Capacity enhancement with the ministry provided budget to create 188 new positions in areas such as water resource management and rural water supply and sanitation