Taha heads Sudanese delegation to donor conference in Norway

May 4, 2008 (PARIS) — Vice President Ali Osman Mohamed Taha Sunday arrived in Oslo, Norway, heading Sudan’s delegation to the donor conference, which is set to start on Monday.

More than 30 countries and organisations are sending delegates to the donor conference Sudan Consortium in Oslo, Norway 5–7 May. First Vice President, Salva Kiir Mayardit, has skipped the conference to participate in the funerals of victims of the plane crash.

UN Deputy Secretary General Asha-Rose Migiro will be heading the UN delegation. Among other heads of delegation is the World Bank Vice President for the Africa Region, Mrs Obiageli Ezekwesili, EC Commissioner Louis Michel, and US Special Envoy to Sudan, Richard Williamson.

“The Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Sudan is in a critical phase. The parties must redouble their efforts to implement the agreement,” says Norway’s Minister of the Environment and International Development Erik Solheim.

The Sudan Consortium will be opened by Norwegian Minister of the Environment and International Development, Erik Solheim, on 6 May at 09:00 at the Clarion Hotel Royal Christiania in Oslo. A closed Darfur-session on 5 May will be opened by Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jonas Gahr Støre.

The Vice President is accompanied by the Minister of Finance and National Economy, Awad Ahmed Al-Jazz, Minister of International Cooperation Al-Tigani Salih Fedail and Minister of Presidential Affairs of the Government of Southern Sudan, Luka Biong.

(ST)