STATEMENT by H.E. Ambassador Pham Hai Anh Charge D’Affaires ad interim of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam at the Security Council Briefing under agenda item “Briefings by Chairs of subsidiary bodies of the Security Council” (13/12/2021)

Mr. President,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the United Nations, Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 2206 (2015) concerning South Sudan for the term 2020 - 2021.

This statement focuses on the following points:

First, regarding the work of the Committee over the past two years, the Committee has adapted its working methods in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the challenges related to the pandemic, the Committee has held 11 meetings, passed 85 communications, granted 10 exemption requests and issued 2 press releases. In June 2021, the 2206 Committee was the first subsidiary body of the Security Council to return to in-person meetings in June 2021.

In November 2021, the Committee conducted a visit to South Sudan, which was the first visit of the Committee in two years as well as since the transitional government was established in February 2020.

The visit took place in an important moment which the Security Council is preparing for the review of the arms embargo measures in May 2022.

It provided an opportunity for the Committee to acquire an updated view on the situation on the ground in the country, the implementation of the Revitalised Agreement and the progress on the implementation of the key benchmarks.

Particularly, the Chair was encouraged by the willingness expressed by the Government of South Sudan in addressing the multiple challenges faced bythe country, their commitment to advance the transitional process and their new approach to foster dialogue with international partners and meeting the benchmarks.

Second, during his tenure, the Chair of the Committee has been committed to exploring new ways to support South Sudan in achieving progress to meet the conditions for the lifting of sanctions, while conducting the work of the Committee in a transparent, objective and responsible manner.

Fostering cooperation between South Sudan, regional countries and the Committee, the Panel of Experts has been a high priority of Viet Nam.

The Chair has actively conducted consultations with the members of the Committee, South Sudan and members of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on new initiatives aimed at increasing the implementation of relevant Council resolutions on South Sudan.

Four out of eleven meetings of the Committee involved the participation of South Sudan and regional States.

In addition, the Chair has held several informal meetings with the representatives of South Sudan, neighbouring countries and IGAD Member States to exchange experiences and increase mutual understanding on relevant aspects.

Furthermore, with the support from all Committee Members, all ten exemption requests in the last two years were granted to support the implementation of the Revitalised Agreement.

Together with the progress achieved in South Sudan, these have resulted in the establishment of the key benchmarks for the review of the arms embargo measures, with a view to lifting them when the conditions are met.

Third, throughout its work in the Committee, Viet Nam is convinced that cooperation and dialogue between the Committee and relevant stakeholders will remain crucial in ensuring the effective work of the Committee.

In this regard, it is the Viet Nam's hope that the Committee will continue to support South Sudan and regional countries in the implementation of relevant Council resolutions, provide assistance to South Sudan authorities in their implementation and reporting of the key benchmarks, and help address any related challenges.

It is also Viet Nam's wish that the Committee makes further visits in the future, not only to South Sudan but also to the regional countries.

Finally, we wish to express our sincere gratitude to the members of the Committee, South Sudan and regional countries for their active engagement in the work of the Committee under Viet Nam's Chair.

We thank the United Nations Secretariat, particularly the Security Council Subsidiary Organs Branch, for their invaluable assistance with the everyday work of the Chair.

We would like to commend the other outgoing Chairs and their teams for their efforts during the past two years and to wish the incoming Chairs every success.

I thank you, Mr. President./.

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