WASHINGTON, D.C. - USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah will join Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and representatives of the U.S. Government will host the International Engagement Conference for South Sudan on December 14-15 in Washington, D.C. The conference will honor the new nation and commence a development and investment dialogue with the Republic of South Sudan. South Sudan President Salva Kiir will outline the government's strategic development priorities, and highlight opportunities for engagement with public and private sector partners. The conference will also include co-sponsors: United Kingdom, Norway, Turkey, the European Union, the United Nations, the African Union, the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, the Corporate Council on Africa, and InterAction.

Those scheduled to speak at the two-day event include: Secretary Clinton, Administrator Shah, UN Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan Princeton Lyman, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson, U.S. Ambassador to South Sudan Susan D. Page, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Melanne Verveer, World Bank President Robert Zoellick, Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.), U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Ron Kirk and OPIC President and CEO Elizabeth Littlefield. Additional speakers include a range of foreign officials, development ministers, and private sector and NGO leaders. The conference builds on the U.S. Government's long partnership with the people of South Sudan. As the lead donor of humanitarian and development assistance for decades, the United States has helped to support the people of South Sudan as they establish peace and secure the strategic tools needed to build a nation.

The first day of the conference will focus on those development and policy priorities of the Republic of South Sudan that will serve as the key architectural components for the new nation. The second day of the conference will focus on private sector and investment opportunities , in line with the economic priorities of the Republic of South Sudan.

WHAT

International Engagement Conference for South Sudan

WHEN

December 14-15, 2011
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

WHERE

Marriott Wardman Park
2660 Woodley Road NW
Washington, DC 20008

(Press events will be held in Salons 1&3)

This event is open to credentialed members of the media. Media are encouraged to RSVP with the USAID Press Office, usaidpressofficers@usaid.gov. Please note: ONLY the items listed below will be open to the press.

Wednesday, December 14

Welcome and Opening Remarks

8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. (Salon 3)

Development Vision of South Sudan: Priorities & Commitments

9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. (Salon 3)
President Kiir will articulate his development vision for the Republic of South Sudan and briefly discuss the priority goals of good governance, economic growth, social service delivery, and human capacity development.

U.S. Perspectives

10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. (Salon 3)
Secretary Clinton will articulate the U.S. Government's commitment to the success of South Sudan in meeting its development challenges.

Lunch and Keynote Speaker

12:45 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. (Salon 2)
World Bank President Robert Zoellick

Closing Remarks

4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Salon 3)
USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah will articulate the U.S. Government's commitment to South Sudan's long-term stability and development.

Thursday, December 15

Opening Remarks

8:45 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. (Salon 3)
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan E. Rice will deliver remarks.

Lunch and Keynote Speaker

1:15 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. (Salon 1)
Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.), Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, and Rep. Donald Payne (D-NJ) will deliver remarks.

Closing Remarks

4:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Salon 3)
President Kiir will close the conference by affirming the Government of South Sudan's commitment to its development goals and by reassuring investors of his commitment to strengthen the security sector to create a safe operating environment for investors.

*Pre-set times apply for both days: (Opening Remarks video cameras 7:00 a.m. and final access time for journalists and still photographers 8:00 a.m.), (Lunch Remarks video cameras 11:30 a.m. and final access for journalists and still photographers 12:30 p.m.), (Closing Remarks video cameras 3:00 p.m. and final access for journalists and still photographers 3:45 p.m. )

For more information about the South Sudan International Engagement Conference and to view the agenda, please visit:
http://transition.usaid.gov/locations/sub-saharan_africa/countries/south_sudan/conference.html.