by Julius Gale
JUBA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The UN Environment Program (UNEP) on Monday called on the South Sudanese government to expedite ratification of the long-awaited environmental bill.
UNEP Country Director in South Sudan Asrad Khan said that despite South Sudan being one of the richest countries in natural resources, poaching, deforestation, pollution and other forms of human-induced pressure on the environment threaten sustainability of the country's natural resources.
He blamed lack of stringent laws for the increasing rates of environmental destruction and wildlife crimes.
Khan urged South Sudan to protect the environment on which 90 percent of the country's population depend on for their livelihoods such as agriculture and mining.
"One of the most essential step and necessity is for the government of South Sudan to have tougher environmental legislations," Khan said.
South Sudan does not have a national environmental legislation despite being a party to the Paris climate agreement (COP22).
The country's Draft Environment Bill has been lying in parliament since 2005. If passed, it would provide guidelines to protect and conserve the environment.
The war-torn country on Monday marked the World Environment Day under the theme "Connecting People to Nature".
The day is designated by the United Nations Environment to scaling up positive environmental action.
Africano Bartel, Undersecretary in the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, said despite South Sudan being the least emitter of carbon gases in the East African region, official data show that the country is the fastest warming in the region, citing a recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Bartel said the country is saddened by the withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Agreement as it will affect its efforts to fight climate change due to a lack of funds and technology.
He said South Sudan would seek to enhance ties with the remaining members of the COP22 to fight the negative effects of climate change.
"We are being affected by the actions of the developed world in terms of climate change. We will not be able to protect and conserve nature without the financial support and technology transfer from the developed countries," Bartel said.
