International Conference in support of Afghanistan

The conference marked a new partnership between Afghanistan and the international community, enabling them to work together more closely in implementing the measures that are required to establish a stable and prosperous Afghanistan. About $20 billion were pledged to finance the implementation of this national strategy, including support for the preparation of elections in 2009 and 2010.

The partnership was also renewed by the expression of shared responsibility made by the international community and Afghan authorities with a view to strengthening the effectiveness and quality of aid, in support of the priorities described in the now finalized ANDS. On one hand, the international community is to provide more consistent and coordinated aid, with UNAMA in an enhanced coordinating role. On the other hand, the Afghan government pledged to expand economic and political reform and step up its efforts to fight corruption, drug production and narcotics trafficking.

The strengthening of Afghan government institutions and the improvement of delivery of services to all Afghans was one of the priorities assigned in the conference declaration. In order to ensure that the progress achieved during the past six years is sustained, the Afghan Government agreed to take action to increase trust in government by improving public administration and local governance. In support of these efforts, the international community agreed to increase support for strengthening state institutions, including through larger scale civil service capacity-building.

Building the institutional capacity remains key also in the aviation sector. The ANDS recognizes the need for an Afghanistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), responsible for providing regulatory oversight of the civil aviation sector. The Government of Afghanistan will work with international community to build the necessary capacity for a viable CAA. Once fully functional, it will provide the Ministry of Transportation and Civil Aviation with the effective capacity to regulate civil aviation in accordance with international standards.

The conference declaration went on to underline the need to stimulate investment in infrastructure. Better infrastructure in turn helps to stimulate Afghanistan’s economic development. This is particularly true with regard to the development of the aviation sector, the role of which is emphasized in a country such as Afghanistan with no access to sea and a challenging terrain for land transport.