Guya Scopas Bethuel
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and South Sudan’s Ministry of Finance and Planning have signed a five-year Public Finance Management Reform Strategy Support (PFMRSS) project aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability, and the efficient use of public resources.
The agreement, covering the period 2026 to 2031, marks a historic milestone as the first time the Government of South Sudan will directly fund a United Nations-implemented initiative, signaling increased national ownership and leadership in governance reforms.
Speaking during the signing ceremony in Juba, Undersecretary for Planning Benjamin Ayali Koyongwa described the initiative as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to reforming public finance systems.
“This milestone where the Government itself finances a UN-implemented initiative demonstrates strong national commitment to PFM reform and aligning public resources with national priorities,” he said, adding that the project will enhance accountability and credibility in service delivery.
The PFMRSS project is designed to support the implementation of the Public Finance Management (PFM) Concept Note and Roadmap endorsed by the Council of Ministers. The roadmap forms part of Chapter Four of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, which focuses on resource, economic and financial management.
Under the initiative, key government structures, including the PFM Oversight Committee, Technical Committee, and Working Group, will be strengthened to deliver on eleven priority reform areas and two cross-cutting themes identified in the roadmap.
Minister of Finance and Planning Salvatore Garang Mabiordit said the government is committed to leading the reform agenda.
“By supporting institutional coordination and building capacity across government, we will improve the planning, prioritization and oversight of public resources for the benefit of citizens,” he said.
The project will also focus on strengthening the PFM Secretariat, enhancing coordination among oversight bodies, and building technical capacity across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) through training, mentoring, and knowledge-sharing.
UNDP Resident Representative Dr. Mohamed Abchir emphasized the importance of effective financial management systems in rebuilding trust and supporting development.
“Effective public finance systems are fundamental to restoring public trust, improving service delivery and accelerating development,” he said, noting that UNDP is committed to supporting the implementation of the reform roadmap.
Staff from the Ministry of Finance and Planning and the United Nations Development Programme pose for a group photo following the event. (Photo: UNDP)
The PFMRSS initiative builds on gains made under the Governance and Economic Management Support (GEMS) project (2019–2025), as well as earlier regional efforts led by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
According to UNDP, the new project is expected to strengthen institutional coordination, improve implementation of reforms, and enhance technical capacity across government institutions, ultimately contributing to more predictable, efficient and equitable public spending.
The initiative will be implemented in close collaboration with national institutions, development partners and technical stakeholders to ensure alignment with government priorities and maximize impact.