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Afghanistan 2020 Conference – 24 November

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Afghanistan 2020 Conference, 24 November

The second day of the pledging conference on Afghanistan took place today in Geneva and virtually worldwide. The outcome of the conference saw donor countries pledge $3 billion in development aid to Afghanistan for 2021, totalling $12 billion over the next 4 years (2021/2024).

Donor countries stressed on binding conditions necessary for the release of the development aid pledged during the Conference, including: Peace, good governance, respect for human rights, inclusion of all sectors of society particularly women and minorities, fight corruption and protection of civil society.

Here is a summary of today’s event:

Morning Session

Chaired by:

  • H.E. Pekka Haavisto, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland
  • H.E. Mohammad Haneef Atmar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
  • Ms Deborah Lyons, Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for Afghanistan

Welcome by the United Nations:

  • H.E. Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General of the United Nations at Geneva

Opening remarks:

  • H.E. Pekka Haavisto, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland

 

  • H.E. Mohammad Haneef Atmar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

 

  • H.E. Abdul Hadi Arghandehwal, Minister of Finance of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

 

  • H.E. Deborah Lyons, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations:


‘The conference today shows the intention of the international community to support Afghanistan for the next 4 years’

‘Peace negotiations are hard work but they must continue’

‘Afghanistan has to take important decisions regarding the role of Islam in society, the role of women and minorities, of human rights protection’

‘Afghanistan must move forward and not backward’

 

  • H.E. Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy:


‘Violence must stop. Not tomorrow, but now’

‘The peace negotiation process must be inclusive of all sectors of society’

 

  • H.E. Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation

 

Keynote addresses:

H.E. Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan:


‘Today we-the Afghan people, government and the international community-share a vision of a sovereign,unified, democratic AFG at peace with itself,the region and the world,capable of preserving and expanding the gains of the past two decades’.

‘This conference is the product of a one of the most interactive and collaborative processes to date shared between the government of Afghanistan and our partners’.

‘Poverty reduction, and the development of livelihoods, jobs and prosperity, are critical deliverables for sustaining a peace agreement’.

‘Our credibility comes from our citizen’s ability to trust their government, and that comes from rule of law’.

 

H.E. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations:


“Afghan women are playing a central role in creating peaceful and inclusive communities with more opportunities for all women and men, girls and boys, people with disabilities, victims and survivors of the conflict. On a daily basis, their efforts towards sustainable and inclusive development can change lives for the better. Afghan women and girls need a continuing support from international community. This is essential that the peaceful process is inclusive and that women play a meaningful and equal role”.

  • Bilateral Statements Statements by representatives of partner governments and organisations
  • Readout from the three side events held on Monday 23 November available here

 

Afghan Civil Society Joint Statement available here

Afternoon Session

Chaired by:

  • H.E. Ville Skinnari, Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade of Finland
  • H.E. Abdul Hadi Arghandehwal, Minister of Finance of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
  • Ms Deborah Lyons, Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for Afghanistan

Closing and final remarks

  • H.E. Ville Skinnari, Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade of Finland
  • H.E. Abdul Hadi Arghandehwal, Minister of Finance of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
  • H.E. Mohammad Haneef Atmar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
  • H.E. Deborah Lyons, Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for Afghanista

Press Conference