I am thrilled to be representing USAID’s Africa Bureau this morning at the International Engagement Conference for South Sudan. The U.S. Government and the Republic of South Sudan are co-hosting this two-day event to support the world’s newest nation as the republic of South Sudan unveils its vision for development and economic growth priorities.
We have heard addresses from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah, Norwegian Special Envoy Endre Stiansen, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Erastus Mwencha, and President of South Sudan Salva Kiir. I look forward to hearing from many others – from U.S. Senator John Kerry to Ugandan Minister Maria Kiwanuka to Valentino Deng to Google’s Scott Carpenter.
There is a broad array of international partners, private sector and civil society leaders here to discuss opportunities for collaboration and investment in South Sudan. The conference is co-sponsored with many key international partners, including the United Kingdom, Norway, Turkey, the European Union, the African Union, the United Nations, the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, the Corporate Council on Africa, and InterAction.
It is a clear testament of the broad-based and high-level support of the international community for the prosperous future of South Sudan. Over the next week, we will announce a series of initiatives that we and our partners will undertake to further support the people of South Sudan as they work to secure peace and stability.
