02 Aug, 2023, Juba, SOUTH SUDAN – South Sudan has confirmed its participation at the Saudi-African Summit that the Kingdom plans to host in November in Riyadh, as part of an initiative to strengthen ties with the African continent.
The announcement followed a meeting President Salva Kiir held at his office in Juba on Wednesday with Saudi Arabia’s Royal Court Advisor and the Kingdom’s former Minister of State for African Affairs, Prince Ahmed Kattan.
Prince Kattan was in Juba to personally deliver a message of goodwill and an invitation from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman for South Sudan to participate in the Saudi-African Summit, which is scheduled to take place in November.
The Saudi Prince also appealed to South Sudan to support the Kingdom’s bid to host the EXPO 2030, an event the Saudis plan to host under the theme: ‘Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow.’
Saudi Arabia expects the EXPO 2030 to present an opportunity to the world to “share how we all imagine a different future and what actions we take today to shape a prosperous and sustainable tomorrow.”
Speaking to reporters after President Kiir’s meeting with Prince Kattan, Acting Foreign Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Deng Dau Deng, confirmed South Sudan’s participation at the Saudi-African Summit.
Hon. Deng also pledged South Sudan’s support for Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the EXPO 2030.
It’s worth noting that Prince Kattan arrived in Juba earlier in the day and was received at the Juba International Airport by Undersecretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ambassador Mayen Dut Wol and other senior diplomats, including Ambassador Ruben Marial Benjamin of the Middle East Desk.
