On 24 July 2026, the Deputy Head of Mission of the European Union Delegation to South Sudan called for stronger commitment to protecting nature, speaking at the World Conservation Day event in Juba. In remarks published by the EEAS on 28 July 2026, the official stressed that conservation is essential for survival, resilience, and prosperity, and highlighted the EU's support for environmental protection in South Sudan through the NaturAfrica initiative.
The speech, delivered at the event, underscored the importance of preserving natural resources, biodiversity, and endangered species, urging individual actions such as reducing waste, pollution, and plastic consumption. The Deputy Head of Mission noted South Sudan's unique natural wealth, including its vast wetlands, rivers, wildlife, and the Great Nile Migration Landscape, while acknowledging threats from droughts, floods, and biodiversity degradation.
The EU's commitment to environmental conservation in South Sudan was illustrated by the NaturAfrica programme, which invests in sustainable management of key landscapes across Africa. According to the remarks, NaturAfrica protects an area of 431,000 km2, benefiting 60 million people, with €1.4 billion in grant funding. The initiative aims to conserve biodiversity, wildlife habitat, and promote livelihood and economic opportunities.
The speech also drew inspiration from individuals such as a Swedish schoolgirl, a British documentalist, and a Kenyan woman planting trees, emphasizing that small actions can have a large impact. The Deputy Head of Mission concluded by encouraging strengthened commitment to sustainable resource management through both small and big gestures.