A word by Dr. Mustafa Osman Ismail, the presidential advisor and former foreign minister of the Republic of Sudan, for the occasion of launching a website for "The International Donors and Investors Conference for East Sudan", to be held in the State of Kuwait from 1- 2 /12/2010. http://www.kuwait-fund.org/eastsudanconference

"Welcome to this website which was established to shed light on the International Donors and Investors Conference for East Sudan, to be held in Kuwait from 1- 2 /12/2010. Hopes are attached on this important Conference to serve as a vehicle for the realization of the legitimate aspirations of the people of East Sudan to attain stability, development and prosperity. East Sudan region covers an area of more than 336,000 square kilometers and has a total population of about 5 million. The region is very rich in natural resources that, if properly utilized, could help to achieve the goal of sustainable development. The signatories of the "East Sudan Peace Agreement " should be praised for their strict adherence to put down arms and to the cease-fire agreement and for their relentless and serious endeavors to put into action what has been agreed upon on paper. We expect the international community, international and regional organizations, the specialized funds, foundations and the civil society to encourage this positive attitude by manifesting genuine keenness in participating to the Conference and make pledges in the areas of services, infrastructure and investment . Such a response will be  perceived by the  people of East Sudan as a strong signal that the entire world is backing them  massively . We are duty- bound to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to the sisterly State of Kuwait which took the initiative to host the Conference. Our thanks are also extended to the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, the Islamic Bank for Development, the United Nations Development Program, the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development and, last but not least, the Sudanese Fund for the Development and Reconstruction of East Sudan. Thank you"