Sudanese Government and World Food Programme Agree to Strengthen Cooperation

Port Sudan – Sudanhorizon

Sudan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Mohi El-Din Salem, held talks in Port Sudan on Wednesday with Carl Johan Lorenus Skaau, Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the World Food Programme (WFP), along with his accompanying delegation, in the presence of Finance Minister Dr. Jibril Ibrahim.

The meeting discussed cooperation between Sudan and the UN agency. The Foreign Minister welcomed the visiting delegation and expressed Sudan’s desire to strengthen joint cooperation in both development and humanitarian areas. He also welcomed the decision of UN agencies to resume operations from the capital, Khartoum, in light of the improved stability there, expressing hope that other international organizations would follow the same approach.

The minister affirmed the government’s readiness to remove any obstacles that may hinder the programme’s work, noting Sudan’s understanding of the challenges related to insufficient international funding for humanitarian programs.

He also welcomed the newly appointed WFP Country Director in Sudan, Abdullah Al-Wardat, affirming the government’s support to ensure the success of his mission.

For his part, Finance Minister Jibril Ibrahim emphasized the strength of the partnership with the World Food Programme, calling for greater focus on development aspects and increased support for farmers.

He pointed to Sudan’s vast agricultural potential, noting that with proper utilization—along with limited support in the energy sector—the country could fully meet its food needs.

In the same context, Carl Skaau expressed his satisfaction with his second visit to Sudan since last November, revealing plans by the programme to relocate its operations to Khartoum in the near future.

The UN official also expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation with the Sudanese government, particularly regarding the approval of the new Country Director and the launch of the programme’s aviation service, which helps facilitate field operations.

Skaau explained that the programme is currently assessing urgent needs in preparation for presenting them to donors from countries and organizations, noting that his current visit to Sudan will be expanded to help achieve the desired humanitarian objectives.

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