The Minister of State for Development Cooperation and Human Rights, Mr. Conor Lenihan, T.D., today pledged €5 million on behalf of Ireland to assist with the ongoing reconstruction and reform process in Afghanistan.
A new 'Afghanistan Compact' was launched in London today in the presence of H.E. Mr. Hamid Karzai, President of Afghanistan, and Mr. Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations. The Compact provides a framework for international community engagement in Afghanistan for the next five years.
Making the announcement, Minister Lenihan said: "In the past two years, Afghanistan has made real progress. Difficulties remain, not least in ensuring a safe and secure environment in which reconciliation and rebuilding can advance.
The successfully held Presidential and Legislative elections are real milestones on Afghanistan's progress toward peace and stability. While many daunting challenges remain in the journey ahead, I believe that the people of Afghanistan have the courage and determination necessary to overcome them.
Ireland will remain a committed partner to Afghanistan in that journey."
Afghanistan remains one of the poorest countries in the world. This pledge of €5 million, which will be expended over the next two years, will bring Ireland's commitment to relief, reconstruction and recovery programmes in Afghanistan to €33 million since 2000.
Ireland's pledge will be allocated for basic humanitarian relief and the recovery activities being carried out by the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF). The Trust Fund is managed by the World Bank and provides a coordinated way for donors to help the Government of Afghanistan rebuild the country.
Note for Editors:
An international conference on Afghanistan is being held in London on 31 January - 1 February. The purpose of the Conference is to provide a framework for international community engagement in Afghanistan for the next five years. It is envisaged that a 'Compact' agreement will be signed at the London Conference. This will replace the five year compact signed in Bonn in 2001 which culminated in successful Presidential and Legislative elections in Afghanistan in 2004 and 2005 respectively.
Afghanistan ranks 173 out of 178 countries on the Human Development Index. 70% of the population live below the poverty line. Ireland has provided €28 million in humanitarian/recovery assistance to Afghanistan since 2000. Funds were expended through the World Bank administrated Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Funds, which supports the Afghan National Development Plan. In addition, Ireland supported the electoral process and provided funding to UN Agencies and Non-Governmental Organisations for development programmes.
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