Afghanistan Conference: U.S., U.K., Pledge to Support Fledgling Government

On Thursday, Allies of Afghanistan called on the country’s government and people to support donation efforts by the international community, saying in turn, they won’t abandon the country.

Representatives from the U.S., U.K. and other countries met in London with representatives of Afghanistan at a conference to discuss that country’s future.

“Today we must reaffirm that commitment to support the Afghan people as they develop their economy, realize their rights and connect with their region,” U.K. Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said at the conference.

“But there are two sides to the commitment: The Afghan people and government in line with the Tokyo agreement must demonstrate to the taxpayers of donor countries that their assistance is being used wisely,” he said, referring to the 2012 meeting of international leaders in Tokyo during which Afghanistan pledged to improve government accountability and sustainability.

The aim of is year’s meeting is to regroup and check on the progress that has been made since 2012. No additional aid money is expected to be pledged.

Delegates from more than 60 countries met with Afghanistan representatives, including President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah. The meeting took place a few months after a contested election in which both claimed victory. Ghani and Abdullah currently share power in a U.S.-brokered coalition government.  Read More at Newsweek