Finland organises an international conference to coordinate Afghanistan's development assistance

Together with the Afghan Government and the UN, Finland will organise a conference in Geneva in November to assist Afghanistan. The international community and the Afghan Government are to commit themselves to common objectives and means of development cooperation in Afghanistan between 2021 and 2024.

Stabilising the situation in Afghanistan and securing its development are high priorities for the international community. The conference, which will be held on ministerial level, will coordinate development cooperation, with the aim to influence the root causes of instability.

Failure in these efforts would bring about threats that the international community wants to avoid. For this reason, coordinating aid is important and in the common interest of all actors.

Promoting democracy, the rule of law and human rights in Afghanistan is important for Finland

“As the organiser of the conference, we can help to ensure that the key values and objectives of Finland and the donor community are taken into account. We emphasise the promotion of democracy, the rule of law and human rights, especially the advancement of women's and girls’ rights in Afghanistan,” says Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari.

The organisation of the conference will also strengthen Finland's role as an essential actor in international relations and strengthen Finland's foreign policy connections.

The conference that is organised every four years was last held in Brussels in 2016.

Finland's support to Afghanistan

As to development cooperation, Afghanistan is Finland's most supported partner country. Finland has participated in the stabilisation, reconstruction and development efforts in Afghanistan since 2002. During the period 2017-2020, Finland has committed to supporting Afghanistan annually by approximately EUR 28 million.

Finland and the EU emphasise the improvement of the status of women and girls in Afghanistan.

The rights of women and the freedom of expression have improved in Afghanistan partly through the work carried out by Finland. For example, women's participation in society's decision-making has increased and discriminatory laws have been reformed.

Inquiries: Titta Maja, Director of the Unit for South Asia, tel. +358 50 358 7247

The email addresses of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs are in the format firstname.lastname@formin.fi.