needs to be done to fight corruption effectively. Social control and Islamic ethics are not sufficient to limit this phenomenon, which is linked to bureaucracy, poverty and sentiment of injustice. Sudan needs to enhance the national strategy for combating corruption and to further enforce the UN convention through the necessary legal and institutional mechanisms. 64. One of the best practices that the CRM wants to emphasize is the tripartite dialogue between the Unions and the Government. This formal institution should be endorsed by a more inclusive approach to ensure that all the interests are well represented. 65. Regarding Corporate Social Responsibility, while some Sudanese companies display a strong commitment towards Islamic ethics and social betterment, there is a wide divergence and incongruence between the firms’ practices and the codes of ethics, objectives and values they communicate in their mission and vision statements. 66. Notwithstanding the negative impact sanctions had on private sector development, a more coordinated and inclusive economic and entrepreneurial strategy could lead to more entrepreneurship and growth in Sudanese companies. Socio-Economic Development 67. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which was signed on 9 January 2005 by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the Government of Sudan, is a tangible demonstration of the will of the Sudanese people to promote sustainable peace, security and stability as a precondition for sustainable economic growth and broad-based socio-economic development of the country. Indeed, sustainable broad-based socio-economic development implies a continuous improvement in the well-being and standard of living of the people, which could be summarized in terms of per capita income, health, life expectancy at birth, infant mortality education, adult literacy environment and freedoms, which are the proxies to be measured and compared. 68. Recognizing the fact that sustainable broad-based socio-economic development is possible through good governance, which is about appropriation, participation, responsiveness, accountability and sustainability, the Government of Sudan has signed, ratified and adopted a number of international and regional standards and codes. However, a percentage of the population and relevant bodies (public institutions, private sector, NGOs, Community-based Organizations) are not fully aware of these agreements. In addition, several stakeholders asserted that socio-cultural and religious factors constituted a hindrance to the domestication and implementation of some international instruments, such as the Conventions on the Rights of Women and Children, which are still resisted in some communities. 69. Sudan is endowed with abundant natural resources, including petroleum and significant deposits of chromium ore, copper, iron ore, mica, silver, gold, tungsten and zinc. The White Nile is the dominant geographic feature of Sudan, flowing 3,000 kilometers from Uganda in the south, as well as the Blue Nile from Ethiopia, in addition to agriculture, which remains a vital sector for the economy, employing 70% of the population. While the share of agriculture fluctuates from year to year, it has steadily stayed above 30%. 70. In order to utilize wisely the abundant natural resources for the well-being of its people, the Government of Sudan has formulated a strategic plan and sectoral policies geared towards promoting and accelerating broad-based sustainable socio-economic development. The Economic Strategy is part of the 25-Year Strategy, which is based on the overall vision, national goals, economic directives and the working papers submitted by different economic institutions. To this effect, all economic ministries and institutions shall undertake to meet the basic needs of the citizens by justifiably and equitably realizing social justice, wellbeing and improving the image of the country. 71. In addition, the Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (I-PRSP), which was prepared in close collaboration with the World Bank Group, is considered as a first comprehensive policy document that assesses the challenges of and opportunities for poverty reduction and sets priorities, strategies and 11