Geneva conference seeks deeper regional cooperation

KABUL underlined the need to deepen regional cooperation in all spheres, including political, security, economic and social to the benefit of the whole region.

Co-hosted by the Afghan government and the United Nations, the conference on Afghanistan in Geneva, Switzerland, on Tuesday and Wednesday, the multinational event was attended by delegations from 61 countries and 35 international organizations and representatives of civil society, the private sector and the media.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Under Secretary-General of the United Nations Rosemary A. DiCarlo, delivered key note addresses.

The conference was co-chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs Salahuddin Rabbani, Minister of Finance Mohammad Humayon Qayoumi  and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General Tadamichi Yamamoto Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah ,concluded the conference.

The participants noted that progress had been made on Afghanistan’s path to self-reliance, but recognized that serious challenges including insecurity, poverty and corruption persisted, read a joint communiqué.

The conference agreed that challenges Afghanistan faced required accelerating joint efforts and reaffirmed their commitment to mutual accountability and delivery of mutually agreed commitments.

The conference reviewed the progress and reform achieved so far under the Self-Reliance through Mutual Accountability Framework(SMAF), and its deliverables for 2017-2018.

They acknowledged progress in many areas and agreed that much still needs to be done, including: enhancing inclusive economic growth; reducing poverty; creating employment; fighting corruption; empowering women; and, improving governance, rule of law and human rights.

“In this spirit, and building on the SMAF, participants adopted the Geneva Mutual Accountability Framework (GMAF) with measurable reform objectives and commitments for the government and the international community for 2019-2020.”

The GMAF aligns deliverables with the Afghanistan National Peace and Development Framework (ANPDF) and its National Priority Programs (NPPs). 

The participants acknowledged the need for greater emphasis on implementation of NPPs and ensuring that their benefits reach all people, particularly those living in poverty.

In the run up to the conference, Afghanistan agreed to meet six benchmarks including transparent parliamentary elections, advancing anti-corruption efforts and reforming the security sector.

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