Honorable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

1. I thank you for the deliberations we have had today. I take note that we started a little bit late today, and therefore urge all members to endeavour to keep time in future meetings.
2. Let me also thank Hon. Minister Martin Elia Lomuro, the TGoNUrepresentative, H.E David Shearer - the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG), and Chairpersons of the various boards and commissions who provided updates and briefings today.
3. We take note of the TGoNU’s reported efforts to alleviate the humanitarian conditions in the country, their response to the AU Assembly pronouncement on South Sudan, and welcome the commitment of the AU to compliment the peace efforts in this country.
4. We commend the TGoNU for its update on progress made in the National Dialogue initiative, and its stated commitment to the Agreement revitalisation process. We urge all Parties and estranged groups to seize this opportunity, engage honestly and return to implementation of the Peace Agreement.

5. We further commend the representative of the Women Bloc, madam

Amer Deng Yak for once again restating the importance of including the voices and interests of Women in all our mechanisms and processes. As a father of three girls, with one granddaughter, I align myself fully with women’s inclusion, engagement and participation, if we are to restore and sustain peace in this country.

Excellencies, Honorable Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen; 6. In summary, we have;

1. i)  Welcomed the IGAD Heads of State and Government decision to take steps to revitalise implementation of the Peace Agreement. In this regard, we congratulate H.E Ambassador Ismail Wais, the IGAD Special Envoy, welcome him to Juba today and pledge our full support to his mission to make this revitalisation process successful;
2. ii)  Reiterated our call to all Parties, armed and estranged groups to cease hostilities, take advantage of the Revitalisation process, and make concrete proposals to achieve its objectives;
3. iii)  received a briefing from the TGoNU and the UNMISS on the current humanitarian situation in the country, noted the steps being taken to address the crisis, the recurring challenges, gaps and note that more efforts is still needed to address this crisis;

4. iv)  received reports from the CTSAMM, NCAC, JMCC, SDSR Board and take note of the modest progress that have been made. We urge all Agreement boards and commissions to take stock of implementation, and to make concrete proposals for the revitalisation process;
5. v)  commended all the Chairpersons and members of the JMEC Working Committees and urged all Working Committees to prepare evaluation reports towards the revitalisation process; and
6. vi)  we commended the TGoNU for welcoming the decision of the IGAD Heads of State and Government to revitalise implementation of the Peace Agreement;

7. Finally, join me in wishing our Lord Bishop, Rev. Enock Tombe, a very Happy Birthday on this very important day of his life. May God give him a long life to continue with his important and tireless work for peace in South Sudan.

I thank you