Statement by Mark Malloch Brown, UNDP Administrator, Chair of the UN Development Group at the International Conference on Afghanistan in Berlin

31 March

Excellencies,

We have come a long way. Today, a functioning Government is in place in Afghanistan; services are being delivered to the Afghan people, and the revenue base is on the rise. Many of the fundamental steps that lead to stability and confidence are being taken, and physical as well as human capacity is gradually being strengthened.

Afghanistan is of course still troubled -- deeply troubled -- by all the burdens that war has brought. Events in Heart were a violent reminder that security has not yet arrived in much of the country; and army and police forces are still being formed. The absence of physical security inhibits real growth and political enfranchisement. Poverty, disease, underemployment and unemployment, the absence of educational opportunities, all these factors still scar the human landscape of the country.

In addition, the scourge of the trade in narcotics is hindering progress towards building a vibrant economy, a solid polity, and harmonious relations between neighbours in south and central Asia.

Peace is hard to come by and even harder to deliver. Many, perhaps most Afghans, are still waiting to see the benefits of peace. It is our job -- collectively -- to help them realize such gains.

Key issues for the future of Afghanistan

In his opening speech this morning, President Karzai, clearly laid out the overall progress made so far, so I will not repeat the list of achievements, which are impressive, here. But allow me to simply add three points.

First, is the issue of alignment with the Millennium Development Goals. The National Development Framework outlines the Government’s broad vision for the country’s future; it clearly spells out the indelible relationships between human capital, physical infrastructure, and good governance.

The publication of "Opening Doors to opportunity: Afghanistan’s Millennium Development Goals", which you have all received today, is a clear indication of the Government’s commitment to the MDGs, and its readiness to set targets that will serve as roadmap up to the Year 2015. Yet, that ambitious level of growth and assistance would still only deliver a per capita income of US$500 by 2015 is a reminder of how far Afghanistan has to go.

Second, is the question of governance. During the Constitutional Loya Jirga, we saw cooperation and dissent, readiness to work together and strong disagreement. Essentially, a national debate on the kind of country Afghans want to build.

This constitution recognizes the diversity of the Afghan people and the strengths that such diversity can bring to their future. It details the central role of human rights and justice -- as well as gender- in a participatory democracy, and points Afghans toward the kinds of state institutions that will be needed to achieve justice and democracy. A number of steps have already been taken in this regard, including the establishment of a National Human Rights Commission, revival of judicial institutions, steadily growing central ministries, and in addition to these, a demobilization program that will help to anchor the security of the country. These achievements are serious, palpable and extremely important; they deserve tremendous admiration and respect.

Third is the issue of partnerships. In Tokyo, the international community pledged a total amount of US $ 4.5 billion over a period of 4 to 5 years. Today, two years later, external financing amounts to about US$ 5 billion. Assistance is flowing through Government institutions, and multilateral institutions are present in practically all fields to support the Government in implementing programmes. All partners -- Afghans, bilateral donors and multilateral actors -- have rallied around the State Building project of the National Development Framework. Trust, as well as commitment to partnership, has emerged. This is very precious and we must all do our utmost to preserve this valuable asset. Not least, because a determined government with a strong aid strategy disguises the uncomfortable fact that more than 90 percent of the Government budget is externally-financed. Because domestically-generated revenue is so low, predictable financing, as well as harmonisation, to allow the Government to blend funding sources is vital if we are to secure uninterrupted rates of implementation.

The road ahead

The report, "Securing Afghanistan’s Future," which was produced by the Government and its multilateral partners, is a sound analysis of achievements and future needs. The amount of funding which is sought over the coming seven years is high, but realistic.

It will allow Afghanistan to move towards becoming a self-sustaining country able to address its poverty and governance challenges. As mentioned in the Report, the international assistance which is requested should be seen as "an investment in stability, peace-building and development, at local, regional and global levels."

On behalf of all Afghanistan’s Multilateral Development partners, I wish to state unequivocally that we stand firmly with the Government and people of Afghanistan as they rehabilitate and rebuild. We have confidence that conditions can continue to improve.

Our programmes today, as well as future programmes, will continue to address the range of immediate problems and longer-term needs Afghanistan faces; today these include:

• Education: through UNICEF’s programme on schools as a centre for change;

• Maternal and child health: through UNFPA, WHO and UNICEF programmes in reproductive health, vaccinations and primary health care;

• Community Development : through the World Bank/HABITAT supported by the National Solidarity Programme;

• Governance: UNAMA and UNDP provide support to the Government for the Voters Registration process, whereas other projects are geared towards the strengthening of various Commissions;

• Refugee and IDP return and resettlement: through the programmes of UNHCR, IOM, WFP and others who provide shelter and food-for-work, and monitor human rights conditions;

• Security and stability: through programmes organized with UNDP, FAO, WFP and IOM to support demobilization and reintegration of former combatants; and to help revive a national police force.

• Rural development: through FAO programmes to support agricultural and rural development activities;

• Capacity building: through UNDP programmes geared towards strengthening Government Ministries at the central and provincial levels;

• Environmental management: through UNEP efforts to assist the government in integrating environmental protection with development;

• Private sector development: through the ILO’s work in the labour market, and UNDP’s new project on private sector partnership development.

• Regional development: through UNDP’s projects to help Afghanistan open trade and transit in central and south Asia, including a major conference to be held in Kyrgyzstan next month.

As we start this session on Reconstruction, we may want to keep in mind a few points which are likely to be raised in our discussions today:

- President Karzai has announced the commitments the Government is ready to make as its share of the partnership. What commitments are we ready to make on our side of this partnership?

- Are we in a position to contribute to the predictability of financing requirement?

- "Securing Afghanistan’s Future" places great emphasis on implementation modalities; what lessons have we all learned in this regard and what can we bring to the table to strengthen and accelerate implementation?

- What are our respective plans to support private sector involvement in Afghanistan?

- South-South Cooperation is increasingly vital to our development efforts; how can we support this co-operation in Afghanistan, particularly among countries of the sub region?

All of us, Afghan Government officials, bilateral donors and multilateral actors, are here in Berlin because we understand the huge dimensions and the depth of Afghanistan’s needs. We know that the price of reconstruction and development is small in comparison with the price of insecurity and renewed conflict. We also know that the men and women of Afghanistan count on us. May our discussions lead us to concrete results that will transform their hopes into reality.

Thank you.