Afghanistan: Ensuring Success

KABUL and DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Afghanistan faces a dangerous and challenging time. The Afghan people
long for security, economic empowerment and political stability. While these
goals seemed within reach in the years immediately after the fall of the
Taliban, the progress made is threatened today. Some voices around the world
are saying that we — Afghans — are not capable of building an effective
state, that we are not ready to pursue a democratic order, or that we are not
prepared to join the modern world. We reject these fallacies, but they are a
clear sign that the world is beginning to lose patience with Afghans. The
situation is serious — and we Afghans must acknowledge our shortcomings,
seek to learn lessons, and respond promptly and appropriately.

To address the challenges facing Afghanistan today, more than 30
representatives of civil society activists, experts, political leaders and
government representatives have participated in the “Afghanistan: Ensuring
Success” conference, held on 14 and 15 March 2009.

The conference focused on five main themes: security, economic
development, rule of law and good governance, regional threats and
opportunities, and international aid and military strategies.

This conference was initiated by Dr. Zalmay Khalilzad. Among the key
speakers were Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta, Minister of Foreign Affairs, former
Minister of Finance Ashraf Ghani, former Minister of Interior Ali Ahmad
Jalali, former Foreign Minister Abdulah Abdulah.

The conference adopted the enclosed declaration. A report of proceedings
and policy recommendations will be produced and made public within a month.

For the complete copy of the Declaration on Afghanistan’s Future produced
at this conference, please refer to the following website:
www.afghanistanfuture.com

Contact: Afghanistan: Ensuring Success Conference,
hpopal@afghanistanfuture.com, or info@afghanistanfuture.com

Source: Afghanistan: Ensuring Success Conference

Afghanistan: Ensuring Success Conference, hpopal at afghanistanfuture.com, or info at afghanistanfuture.com