Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking through (1) international diplomacy, (2) Official Development Assistance, or (3) other means, to protect the Sudd swamp in South Sudan.

The UK Government continuously monitors political, economic and environmental developments in South Sudan, including the possibility of dredging in the Sudd wetlands. UK Government officials have raised the Sudd wetlands with the Government of South Sudan where appropriate, most recently at a meeting between the UK's Special Representative for Sudan and South Sudan and the South Sudanese Ambassador to the UK on 22 June.

More broadly, tackling climate change and biodiversity loss is a UK Government international priority, as identified in our Integrated Review and International Development Strategy. We are committed to using our leadership to support the protection of natural wealth in South Sudan, including through funding projects for wildlife conservation, poverty reduction and building community resilience to the impacts of climate change.