The Norwegian Government hosted an international “Oslo Donors’ Conference on Sudan” on the 11 and 12 April in 2005. This conference was the primary forum for the international community to pledge support for the people of Sudan in the reconstruction phase that started with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Nairobi on the 9 January the same year. As an integral part of the Donor Conference, the UN presented its Work plan for 2005, and provided a status report on immediate humanitarian needs and the response of the international community.
The Joint National Transition Team, which was the precursor to the Government of National Unity, represented the signatory parties to the peace agreement, the Government of Sudan (GoS) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A), at the conference. Representatives from a large number of donors, institutions and organizations also attended the conference. The Oslo conference had participants from both western and non-western donors, such as Arab and Asian countries. Two Multi-Donor Trust Funds administered by the World Bank- one for the new Government of National Unity in Khartoum and one for the Government of South Sudan – were launched.
The following describes the process of the donor conference, and also contains contact information:
Process
The Oslo Donors’ Conference on Sudan is the result of a comprehensive process that has proceeded in parallel with the peace negotiations. The Norwegian Government was requested to host the international donors conference at a meeting in the Netherlands in April 2003. Subsequently there have been several preliminary meetings, including one in Oslo in September 2004 that in particular addressed the issue of donor coordination.
Background Material
A Joint Assessment Mission (JAM) has provided the background material for the Donors’ Conference. The UN and the World Bank have been lead agencies in the JAM process and the Parties, i.e. the GOS and the SPLM, have participated at all levels. Sudanese civil society groups and international development partners have also made substantial contributions. The JAM reports describe the reconstruction and development requirements of the Sudan for the Interim Period up to 2011, with an emphasis on 2005-2007. Moreover, the JAM reports articulate a development vision of broad-based growth, poverty reduction and sustained human development that will consolidate the achievements of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The UN Work Plan focuses on immediate needs and is also the result of extensive consultations between the Parties and specialized agencies.
Participation
Participation at the Oslo Donors’ Conference on Sudan is by invitation only.
For further information about the Oslo Donors’ Conference on Sudan, please contact:
Conference Co-ordinator
ICS (International Conference Service, Sissi P. Solberg A/S)
Linstows gate 6, NO-0166 Oslo, Norway
Tel: +47 24 14 98 00
Fax: +47 24 14 98 01
E-mail: odcs@ics.no
Conference site
Radisson SAS PLAZA Hotel
Sonja Henies plass 3
NO-0185 OSLO, Norway
www.oslo.radissonsas.com/
Contact at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
P.O. Box 8114 Dep., NO-0032 Oslo, Norway
Contact person: Mr Geir Arne Schei
Tel: +47 22 24 73 89
E-mail: gas@mfa.no
Other Events
The Sudan Civil Society Forum in Oslo, April 7-9
This event is organized in Oslo immediately prior to the Donors’ Conference. Participants are primarily representatives from Sudanese civil society organizations from the Northern and Southern Sudan and their international partners. The main objective of the Forum is to facilitate discussions between stakeholders other than governmental donors. The conference will select 4 representatives for the official Donors’ Conference in Oslo.
For further information about the Sudan Civil Society Forum in Oslo; please contact:
Stein Erik Horjen