The Government of Sudan proposed that an international conference for Eastern Sudan be held at the end of November 2010 in Kuwait and asked the UNDP to provide technical assistance for the preparation of the conference. The conference will focus on the needs for aid and the opportunities for business and investment in Eastern Sudan. It will aim to mobilize funds and investments that will contribute towards the common interest of all parties in the recovery, reconstruction and development of the region. The conference will address a spectrum of recovery, reconstruction and development needs ranging from poverty reduction and basic services to education, infrastructure and investment.

Focus Areas

    Peace building and Human Security: The areas of Eastern Sudan which were most affected by the armed conflict in the late 1990s and the early 2000s were the border areas with Eritrea and Ethiopia. Despite the end of the conflict in the east in 2006, improvements in conditions in these conflicts affected and marginalized areas have been limited.

    Poverty Reduction and Basic Service Delivery: A sustained and comprehensive reduction in poverty in Eastern Sudan can only happen when there is development across a range of economic sectors, improvement in basic infrastructure and improvement in governance education and health.

    Infrastructure: Some improvements in infrastructure in Eastern Sudan such as the construction of rural access roads are needed to improve the economic integration and prospects of marginalized populations especially in the conflict affected eastern border areas.

    Investment: Eastern Sudan offers good opportunities for Sudanese and foreign investors in sectors ranging from agriculture, fisheries, and livestock to mining, ports, real estate and tourism. The national authorities and the Governments of Gedaref, Kassala and Red Sea States are ready to facilitate new investments as are relevant business institutions such as the Sudanese Businessmen and Employers Federation and the Sudanese Chambers of Commerce.

    Human Resource Development: Although many new primary schools have been built in Eastern Sudan more school construction is needed and resources need to be put into teacher training to ease the shortage of qualified teachers

Conference Venue and Date

The Government of Kuwait has offered to host the conference. The conference is planned to take place from 29 – 30 November 2010 and the venue will be confirmed soon as possible. For further information about the conference contact Eastern Sudan Liaison Officer UNDP at Mustafa.abuali@undp.org or call at +249 912 298 717