International meeting on Sudan in Oslo on 27-28 September

On 27-28 September,Norwaywill be co-hosting an international expert meeting for representatives from donor countries, international organisations and the parties to the conflict inSudan.The agenda will include discussions on the assistance needs related to the humanitarian situation in Darfur and efforts to plan international assistance to Sudan after a final peace agreement has been concluded.The Sudanese authorities and the rebel forces, the SPLM, the SLM and the JEM will be represented at the meeting.

Norway and Italy are co-chairs of the IGAD Partners Forum, the international group co-ordinating support for Sudan, and are hosting the meeting. This will be the first time that the three rebel movements and the Sudanese authorities come together with the international community to review assistance needs in Darfur and the rest of Sudan. The meeting is part of the efforts to mobilise support for the people of Darfur. It also forms part of the preparations for the international donor conference that Norway has offered to host as soon as a final peace agreement for Sudan has been signed.

More than 100 people from more than 30 countries and international organisations are expected to attend the meeting. Representatives of the Sudanese government, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) will specify what international assistance is needed in Sudan. There will be representatives of many different countries as well as participants from the EU, the UN, the African Union, the Arab League, the World Bank, and invited representatives of NGOs.

The meeting will be held at Holmenkollen Park Hotel in Oslo on 27-28 September. Minister of International Development Hilde F. Johnson will open the meeting on Monday 27 September at 12.00. State Secretary, Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen will give the opening statement on assistance needs related to the humanitarian situation in Darfur, which is the topic for the first day of the meeting. The second day will be devoted to discussions of the international assistance that will be needed once a peace agreement has been reached, and how assistance can be co-ordinated. The opening session of the meeting on Monday at 12.00 will be open to the media.

Press contacts:

Practical questions on arrangements for the media: Adviser Oona Solberg, tel. + 47 92 62 22 71

Enquiries from the media to the Minister of International Development: Head of Information Espen Gullikstad, tel. + 47 91 70 81 22

Enquiries from the media to State Secretary, Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen: Adviser Cathrine Andersen, tel. + 47 91 13 64 10

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