International Conference in support of Afghanistan (Paris, 12th June 2008)

 

The government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and representatives of the international community met June 12 in Paris to reaffirm their long-term partnership in support of the people of Afghanistan, their security, prosperity and human rights. The conference was opened by President Nicolas Sarkozy, President Hamid Karzai, and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

This conference, co-chaired by Foreign and European Affairs Minister Bernard Kouchner, his Afghan counterpart Rangin Dadfar Spanta, and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan Kai Eide, represents the point of departure for a new partnership between Afghanistan and the international community, enabling them to work together more closely in implementing the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS). About $20 billion were pledged to finance the implementation of this national strategy, including support for the preparation of elections in 2009 and 2010. These pledges largely surpassed our expectations and testify to a strong political will to pursue the reconstruction and development effort launched in 2001.

The new nature of this partnership is reflected by the strong participation of civil society and the private sector, considered key players in the rebuilding of Afghanistan. The International Civil Society and Private Sector Forum held in Paris on May 24 made it possible to “better understand the true expectations of the Afghan people, to listen to their priorities with respect to reconstruction in order to better define and orient international aid,” as Mr. Kouchner noted.

The partnership has also been renewed by the expression of shared responsibility made by the international community and Afghani authorities with a view to strengthening the effectiveness and quality of aid. On one hand, the international community is to provide more consistent, coordinated aid, notably thanks to the enhanced coordinating role of the UN Special Representative and the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), which is contributing a greater share of the Afghan national budget and is mobilizing Afghanistan’s human resources. On the other, the Afghan government has pledged to expand economic and political reform and step up its efforts to fight corruption, drug production and narcotics trafficking.

In agreement with the Afghan authorities, France will make an additional contribution to training the Afghan army and stabilizing the country .We must fulfill one of the Afghan people’s top priorities, their security, in order to better help meet their reconstruction needs. “The military is not the only solution, but security is the precondition for development and reconstruction. They are both integral,” noted President Sarkozy. France will provide $165 million for the reconstruction of Afghanistan over the next three years, as indicated by Foreign and European Minister Bernard Kouchner, who underscored the importance of respecting human rights and international humanitarian law. With respect to development, France stressed the necessary commitment to agriculture and rural development in order to reduce food insecurity, as well as access to health services. In these two areas, two letters of intent were signed at the conference by Afghan and French authorities, including the French Development Agency (AFD), and by the Aga Khan Foundation to expand the French Children’s Hospital in Kabul.

This international conference took stock of the progress made in Afghanistan since the last international conference held in London two years ago. Donors hailed the important progress made in health and education, infrastructures and economic growth, as well as the establishment of Afghan security forces. Nevertheless, much remains to be done, notably to strengthen the rule of law, respect for the law, the strengthening of administrative capacities, the growth of the private sector, and the security of all Afghan citizens.

This conference, whose discussions were broadcast in their entirety, helped strengthen trust: trust between the Afghan state and the international community, trust between Afghan institutions and the Afghan people, trust between the Afghan people and providers of international aid.

For more information

  Read the UNAMA press release on the Conference