SOM meeting: Wednesday declared holiday in Kabul

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled has declared Wednesday as public holiday in Kabul only on the account of the third Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) here.

A statement from the ministry said: “To avoid traffic jam and disruptions and to better welcome and facilitate the distinguished guests and ensure their security, tomorrow (October 4) will be public holiday only in Kabul city.”

Representative from both the Afghan government and the international community would attend the third annual senior officials meeting in Kabul,” said Hugo LIorens, Special Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Kabul in a statement.

The upcoming SOM summit follows last year’s Brussels Conference, at which new development assistance pledges through 2020 were made and also follows the London Conference in 2014. The last Senior Officials Meeting was held in Kabul in 2015.

“The meeting will provide a welcome opportunity to follow up on the significant reform commitments made in Brussels, less than a year ago,” LIorens said.   

In the meeting, the Afghan government will explain the national anti-corruption plan and will urge the international community to adjust their assistance based on government’s priorities, said Javid Faisal, deputy spokesman for the Chief Executive Officer.

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