High-level huddle reviews preparations for Brussels meet

KABUL (Pajhwok): Diplomats, representatives of international organizations, civil society and the private sector on Sunday met at the Presidential Palace with senior government leaders to review preparations for a major international conference on Afghanistan.

The meeting, a special session of the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board, was co-chaired by Minister of Finance Eklil Hakimi and UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Tadamichi Yamamoto about a month ahead of the Brussels Conference on Afghanistan.

In his opening remarks, President Ghani said: “Today you will be hearing from our government about how the reform agenda that we presented in London in December of 2014 is turning into practical actions that are beginning to change the lives of our people.”

The Afghan National Peace and Development Framework (ANDPF), the president said defined the challenge as one of overcoming institutional fragmentation.

“Our government is meeting its commitments to the international community to fight corruption, to improve gender equity, and to advance on the road toward self-reliance through economic growth,” he stressed.

The president said Afghanistan needed to see and hear that its government was uniting around the causes of justice for the poor and education for its children.

Minister Hakimi, echoing the president, said that the theme of the meeting was self-reliance.

“As we look forward to the Brussels Conference, our task here today is to show what we intend to do to keep Afghanistan steady on the road to self-reliance,” he said.

“The ANPDF sets the state for the next steps in our journey towards self-reliance. It’s a goal I know we all share,” the minister said.

Led by Minister Hakimi and the Minister of Economy, a panel presented the government’s new development strategy to the assembled participants.

In addition, Minister of Labour, Social Affairs, Martyred and the Disabled Nasrin Oryakhil spoke about the government’s plans for promoting economic empowerment for women.

Minister of Commerce and Industry Homayoun Rasa, Minister of Energy and Water Ali Ahmad Osmani, and Presidential Advisor Dr. Homayoun Qayoumi described the government’s plans to build the country’s infrastructure.

Noting that competition for development resources is increasing around the world, UN envoy Yamamoto called on international partners to sustain their support for Afghanistan.

He described the Afghan government’s plans as “essential tools,” that would “serve both to attract support from donors at the upcoming Brussels Conference on Afghanistan and to guide how that support is used to benefit the Afghan people.”

The Brussels Conference will be co-hosted by the government of Afghanistan and the European Union on October 4 and 5 in Brussels.

Stefano Manservisi, Director-General for International Cooperation and Development of the European Commission, said: “The European Union looks forward to welcoming the Afghan Government and representatives from around 100 countries and international organisations.”

He said the EU was firmly committed to a long-term partnership with Afghanistan and determined to support Afghanistan in its reform and state-building efforts to ensure citizens' democratic rights, and access to basic services such as education, health, food and jobs.

He said the Afghan reform agenda, a new development partnership, and a new regional dynamic were key elements for the Brussels conference, which he said he was confident would signal a renewed and stronger partnership based on mutual commitments and mutual accountability.

In closing remarks, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah said the new development framework built upon Tokyo’s self-reliance vision and presented a statement of how the National Unity Government would achieve its goals of moving toward self-reliance and increasing the welfare of Afghans.

“Have no doubt that both the President and I are committed to a practical reform agenda that aims to help our nation move forward,” said the chief executive.

“Afghanistan has to seek its best political reform path, based on our national realities and needs.”

pr/ma