ECOSOC ANNUAL MINISTERIAL REVIEW (AMR)
National Voluntary Presentation by SUDAN
Statement by H.E. Ambassador Asoke Kumar Mukerji, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations as Reviewer

Madam Moderator,

Allow me at the outset to commend Her Excellency Mrs. Mashair Ahmed Al Dawallab, Honorable Minister for Welfare and Social Security of Sudan for her excellent presentation on the achievements made and challenges faced by her country in reaching the Millennium Development Goals.

It is an honor for India to present some comments on Sudan s National Voluntary Report as a Reviewer.

I hope our comments and suggestions will be found useful for strengthening efforts for achieving inclusive and sustainable development in Sudan.

Madam Moderator,

Despite a difficult domestic situation, the Government of Sudan has made appreciable efforts to achieve the MDGs and ensure all-round development of its people. Yet, it is faced with persistent challenges to ensure the achievement of MDGs by 2015 and sustain development gains in the future.

Mounting amount of external debt coupled with decades-long fight against armed groups have dealt a severe blow to the ability of the Government of Sudan to upgrade its initiatives towards poverty eradication and addressing social issues such as health, education, rural development, gender equality etc. Sudan s limited access to external funding has also contributed to impeding progress on the various MDGs.

It is therefore extremely important for the success of MDGs in Sudan that appropriate and creative solutions are found through dialogue with all parties concerned. In this regard, the National Dialogue process has contributed to calming tensions in the country.

The international community needs to encourage dialogues without interfering in the internal affairs of Sudan to reach amicable solutions. At the same time, sanctions should not be used as a political tool to discriminate against Sudanese people at large.

Constructive solutions also need to be found for Sudan s external debt problems. We understand that Sudan has already achieved various technical benchmarks prescribed by international institutions to qualify for HIPC initiatives.

In this context, I would like to mention that India has recently restructured its own lines of credit extended to Sudan for development of infrastructure and socio-economic projects to the satisfaction of the Government of Sudan.

Madam Moderator,

A key aspect leading to lesser than expected achievements by Sudan relates to lack of capacities in human resources, infrastructure and industry. There is a need perhaps for a medium to long term vision for the development of productive capacity in various sectors of the Sudanese economy in collaboration with development partners.

Madam Moderator,

In conclusion, allow me to reiterate India s firm commitment to the socio-economic development of Sudan through capacity building, lines of credit, sharing of best practices and technical and human resources.

I thank you.