Int’l community renews support to Afghans

The International community renewed its long-term commitment to the people of Afghanistan and made significant pledges at the 2020 Afghanistan Conference, co-organised by Finland, the United Nations, and the Afghan government on Monday and Tuesday. Afghanistan and international partners at the conference committed to share development objectives for 2021–2024 and adopt a communique calling for an end to the war and a durable peace, stability, and prosperity.

The 2020 Afghanistan Conference provided a strong expression of the international community’s enduring commitment to Afghanistan for the critical period ahead up to 2024. The donors pledged at least US$ 3.3 billion for the first year of the upcoming quadrennial, with annual commitments expected to stay at the same level year on year.

Afghanistan’s development partners remain firmly committed to backing Afghanistan through to 2024.

All development assistance will be subject to annual joint review processes by the government and international partners with donors continuing to exercise their right to decide upon the level and modality of their annual financial support.

“The significant pledges made at the 2020 Afghanistan Conference, despite a difficult year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, show that the international community continues to stand firmly with the Afghan people at this crucial time,” said Finland’s Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari.

“The Conference echoes the demand of the Afghan people for an immediate ceasefire and a lasting peace that they deserve – these demands must not be failed,” said, Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto.

Around 70 countries and more than 30 international organisations, along with Afghan government officials and civil society representatives participated in the 2020 Afghanistan Conference.

Given the serious risks posed by COVID-19, all participants took part in the proceedings virtually, with the co-chairs located in the UN Palais des Nations in Geneva.