Secretary-General Welcomes Proposal for International Conference on Afghanistan

 

The following statement was issued in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, on Saturday, 28 November, by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The proposal to host an international conference on Afghanistan on 28 January 2010 in London is a very timely initiative to allow for the holding of a high-level dialogue on the post-electoral agenda in Afghanistan, as outlined by President Hamid Karzai in his inaugural speech on 19 November 2009.

In this regard, I appreciate Prime Minister’s Gordon Brown’s initiative.  I also appreciate President Nicolas Sarkozy of France and Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany for their joint initiative.

President Karzai’s agenda had also detailed a work programme for the new Afghan Government.

The London conference, as well as a further high-level conference to be convened in Kabul, Afghanistan, within a few months thereafter, would outline the framework for an increased lead role for the Afghans in the shaping of their destiny.

These conferences would thus constitute defining moments in the reconfiguration of the relationship between Afghanistan and the international community.  I would like to reiterate my strong support for this high-level dialogue and underline the readiness of the United Nations to contribute to the success of these conferences.

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For information media • not an official record