The Norwegian Minister of International Development on Tuesday met with foreign ministers from 7 African countries including South Sudan’s Deng Dau Deng to discuss ways of protecting children from conflict.

The meeting in Oslo, Norway was also attended by foreign ministers from Mozambique, Gambia, Niger, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) among other dignitaries and participants.

In a statement on Tuesday, South Sudan’s Acting Foreign Minister Deng Dau said he and others were invited to Norway to discuss how to protect children during conflict.

“I have been invited by the foreign minister of Norway for an international conference on the protection of children in the world and particularly the protection of children in the areas of conflict,” he said. “This conference was attended by over 80 countries worldwide and over 400 delegates and Africa was represented by 7 foreign affairs ministers.”

“We also discussed country-specific areas of cooperation,” Minister Deng added.

He said the meeting covered the African continent's role in the protection of children from armed conflict as well as the support of humanitarian and development programs on the continent.