9 July 2026: Ambassador Kano’s Attendance at the 15th Anniversary Celebrations of the Republic of South Sudan’s Independence
2026/7/9
On 9 July, Ambassador Kano attended the event titled “Spotlight on South Sudan at 15” co-organised by UNESCO and the Delegation of South Sudan to mark the 15th anniversary of the country’s independence.
Hon. Dr. Kuyok Abol Kuyok, Minister of General Education and Instruction of South Sudan (Chair of South Sudan National Commission for UNESCO), Mr Benjamin Aban Raphael, Chargé d’Affaires of the Permanent Delegation of South Sudan to UNESCO, Ms Yayoi Segi-Vltchek, Head of Office and UNESCO Representative in Juba, and officials from UNESCO’s Secretariat also attended the event. Discussions focused on South Sudan’s progress since independence, the challenges it currently faces, and the wide range of support provided through UNESCO.
Ambassador Kano congratulated South Sudan on its 15th anniversary of independence and outlined Japan’s support, including infrastructure development such as ports and bridges, improving access to education through accelerated learning programmes for out-of-school children implemented with UNESCO, and capacity-building efforts to support the inscription of sites on the World Heritage List and the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. He also highlighted Japan’s initiatives aimed at contributing to the consolidation of a stable democracy and peace in the long-term in the context of South Sudan’s first post-independence elections, including the development of local radio stations and training for media and law enforcement personnel.
The event also brought together representatives from around 30 Permanent Delegations to UNESCO, mainly from Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Africa.
Hon. Dr. Kuyok Abol Kuyok, Minister of General Education and Instruction of South Sudan (Chair of South Sudan National Commission for UNESCO), Mr Benjamin Aban Raphael, Chargé d’Affaires of the Permanent Delegation of South Sudan to UNESCO, Ms Yayoi Segi-Vltchek, Head of Office and UNESCO Representative in Juba, and officials from UNESCO’s Secretariat also attended the event. Discussions focused on South Sudan’s progress since independence, the challenges it currently faces, and the wide range of support provided through UNESCO.
Ambassador Kano congratulated South Sudan on its 15th anniversary of independence and outlined Japan’s support, including infrastructure development such as ports and bridges, improving access to education through accelerated learning programmes for out-of-school children implemented with UNESCO, and capacity-building efforts to support the inscription of sites on the World Heritage List and the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. He also highlighted Japan’s initiatives aimed at contributing to the consolidation of a stable democracy and peace in the long-term in the context of South Sudan’s first post-independence elections, including the development of local radio stations and training for media and law enforcement personnel.
The event also brought together representatives from around 30 Permanent Delegations to UNESCO, mainly from Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Africa.