On 5 October 2016, Luxembourg’s Minister for Cooperation and Humanitarian Action, Romain Schneider, attended the Brussels Conference on Afghanistan.
Minister Schneider represented Luxembourg at the conference which brought together representatives from 75 countries, 25 international organisations and representatives of Afghanistan’s civil society.
Under the theme of “peace and prosperity” and organised by the European Union and the Afghan government, the objective of this meeting was to continue to mobilise support from the international community for development in Afghanistan. The conference also allowed for the Afghan government to present its implemented reforms following the last international conference on the subject of Afghanistan in December 2014 in London.
At the event, Minister Schneider highlighted that Afghans, especially young people, should be able to envision a lasting future. In this context, he recalled the importance of mutually reinforcing a sustainable, global approach on behalf of the international community at the centre of the different phases.
Minister Schneider also stated that “sustainable economic and social development is not possible without the reinforcement of governance and the fight against corruption, nor without the advocacy of human rights, particularly in regard to women and children.”
With reference to Luxembourg’s long-term commitment to Afghanistan, Minister Schneider confirmed the continued pursuit of these efforts and, notably, announced the financing if a new phase of the project in the area of food safety. This part of the project has been implemented in collaboration with the FAO and the Afghan Ministry of Agriculture. As a result, the amount of money which Luxembourg gives towards Afghanistan’s development will increase to €7.4 million between 2017 and 2020. As well as this, the Grand Duchy will give €4 million per year to Afghan security forces.
Photo by Thierry Monasse
