World Bank - UN

US$ 4.8 billion pledged to support recovery, development and peace in Sudan

Oslo, May 7, 2008 – Donor countries today pledged US$4.8 billion for Sudan for the period 2008-2011 at the end of a two-day meeting in Oslo. The meeting, known as the Sudan Consortium, was attended by 45 countries and institutions. Organized by the Governments of Sudan, the United Nations and the World Bank, participants discussed the efforts to support the peace agreement that ended the civil war in Sudan in 2005. The Consortium meeting helped Sudan government officials and representatives of the international community further strengthen their partnership to implement the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).

‘The Sudanese people need to see the dividends of peace‘ said UN Deputy Secretary General Asha-Rose Migiro while addressing the Consortium. “They have already waited for too long in too many parts of the country. International support, political as well as financial, is critical. A unique but narrow window of opportunity exists. If it is grasped it can help Sudan move into the second half of the interim period with both the vision and tools necessary to achieve a lasting and broad based peace“.

The Sudan Consortium welcomed the progress achieved under the CPA since 2005, including the recent census and the introduction of the new national currency. But large challenges remain: ‘Economically, socially and politically Sudan is at a tipping point,’ said Obiageli Ezekwesili, Vice President of the Africa Region in the World Bank Group. ‘Real partnership from the international community is necessary, but only the Sudanese themselves can realize the potential of the country. It is for the leaders and citizens of Sudan to demonstrate a strategic approach that is credible, broadly owned and being translated into real outcomes, in ways that contribute to the CPA’s vision‘ she continued. The $4.8 billion pledged by international donors at the Sudan Consortium will support humanitarian, recovery and development efforts in the whole of Sudan for the period 2008 to 2011. Part of the development funds will be channeled through two complementary mechanisms - the Multi Donor Trust Funds administrated by the World Bank which will receive an estimated US$650 million; and the newly created Sudan Recovery Fund managed by the UN.

Prior to the two-day Consortium, officials from Sudan’s Government of National Unity and Government of South Sudan met with representatives of the international donor community in a closed session to discuss how to address the situation in Darfur.