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 The Government of South Sudan and the United Nations have taken a key step towards shaping a new partnership for sustainable development, with discussions in Juba focusing on the priorities that could deliver the greatest impact for people across the country. The 2028–2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework will guide the UN’s development support to South Sudan during the final three years of the 2030 Agenda. It will be aligned with the South Sudan Development Plan 2026–2036, linking UN support more closely to the country’s development priorities. At a strategic prioritization workshop on Wednesday October 21st, 2026, Government and UN representatives emphasized the need to concentrate efforts on fewer, more focused priorities, backed by stronger national ownership, better financing, greater accountability and stronger data to track results.The discussions are built on consultations with government institutions, civil society, women’s groups, young people and other stakeholders. They are also informed by the Country Analysis and lessons from the 2023–2027 Cooperation Framework.Speaking at the workshop, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator Ramanathan Balakrishnan said the new framework provides an opportunity to make clear choices about where collective action can make the greatest difference.“The new Cooperation Framework is an opportunity to make deliberate choices about the priorities that can deliver the greatest impact. We must build on the evidence and lessons from the current framework, strengthen government ownership and bring our efforts and resources together to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals,” he said. South Sudan’s Minister of Finance and Planning, Hon. Athian Ding Athian, stressed that the framework must be firmly anchored in the country’s own development ambitions.“We see it as a genuinely shared framework developed through continuous dialogue, mutual accountability and joint decision-making between the Government and the United Nations Development System,” the Minister said.He highlighted economic transformation and diversification, investment in people, stronger governance, climate resilience, peacebuilding and social cohesion as important areas for South Sudan’s long-term development.The Government and the United Nations will now continue consultations to refine the priorities and results for the 2028–2030 Cooperation Framework. The aim is to focus collective efforts and resources where they can contribute most effectively to national development and deliver lasting improvements for communities across South Sudan.