Experts discuss transformation of economy from war to peace

KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghan government, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is hosting a series of expert roundtable discussions in Kabul this week.

The discussions would focus on developing an economic framework to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Afghanistan, a statement from UNDP said on Saturday.

The discussions, which bring together a group ofwell-respected economists and experts from around the world, will highlight integrative economic modeling and a macro-economic framework that is responsive to a peace economy and paves the way for Afghanistan to achieve SDGs.

The panel discussions will take place at the Office of the Chief Executive, as well as at the Ministries of Economy, Finance and Public Health, from July 27 to August 2.

It will include discussions on identifying the priorities of Afghanistan based on the present capacities and constraints in the country and explore options for economic models that work best forpeace.

The experts, coming from diverse backgrounds with immense expertise and experience in the similar contexts, will thoroughly discuss integrated economic models within the framework of SDGs and put forward options to accelerate achievement of the goals.    

The initiative is part of broader vision spearheaded by UNDP’s new Resident Representative Abdallah Al Dardari.

Since taking office in May 2019, Dardari has made it his top priority to transform the way development programmes have been carried out in Afghanistan.

This is especially important at this juncture, as there is genuine sense of hope that peace might be achievable in the near future.

“If peace does come, we must support Afghanistan to transition from an economy that struggles in time of war, to an economy that prospers in time of peace,” says Dardari.

“The expert discussions will help us identify priorities and design integrated programmes that are sustainable and viable.”

This is the first time that such a group of experts and academics with focus on macroeconomics have come to Afghanistan to kick-start conversation on transforming its war economy to a peace economy and change the approach to development from isolated projects to integrated programmes.

pr/nh/mud