Statement by ADB President Tadao Chino at
Joint Press Conference on Reconstruction Assistance to Afghanistan
21 January 2002
Tokyo
It gives me great pleasure to meet the press at this very important occasion where people from all over the world are gathered to discuss ways to help in the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
This morning, we presented our Preliminary Needs Assessment for Afghanistan's Recovery and Reconstruction. This Needs Assessment was a collaborative undertaking by ADB, UNDP and the World Bank.
Building on this coordinated effort, we will conduct a more detailed and comprehensive needs assessment after this conference. Sector teams will visit Kabul and other areas of Afghanistan to conduct site visits and participate in more detailed consultations with the Afghanistan Interim Administration, a wide range of Afghan civil society and NGOs, international assistance agencies and other stakeholders. This comprehensive needs assessment is due to be completed by the end of April.
ADB is honored to play a crucial role in this important undertaking. We have waited for the opportunity to resume operations in Afghanistan, which is one of ADB's founding members. I believe it is our responsibility to help the Afghan people realize their full potential.
Now, I would like to briefly highlight the four components of a development framework, outlined in the Preliminary Needs Assessment, that will guide the recovery and reconstruction of Afghanistan.
First, we believe that the reconstruction process should be led by Afghan men and women in all stages, from planning to implementation. This participatory approach is essential to ensure the necessary ownership of and commitment to the rehabilitation process. In particular, women have long suffered from social exclusion. As we found in other post-conflict countries, women will undoubtedly make valuable contributions to the reconstruction effort and the sustainable social development.
Second, appropriate policy and institutional frameworks must be in place at both the national and local levels to support investments in rehabilitation and reconstruction. In particular, effective reconstruction is impossible without good governance. Transparency, participation, accountability, and the rule of law provide the basis for good governance.
Third, substantial institutional support is needed for local communities and emerging public institutions. This type of support will involve substantial training and capacity building, and is an area where we will need the experience and expertise of bilateral agencies as well as NGOs and community-based organizations.
Fourth, it is essential that investments in rehabilitation and reconstruction promote human entitlements and social inclusion. In the context of Afghanistan, it is particularly important to emphasize support for and the protection of vulnerable groups, such as women and children, returning refugees, internally displaced people, and the disabled, by providing basic needs and employment opportunities.
Given these four components, I will now focus on ADB's investment priorities. We believe that agriculture, infrastructure and social sectors are crucial for rehabilitation and reconstruction. ADB's immediate focus will be on the rehabilitation of irrigation systems and roads that can make a major contribution to rebuilding the national economy while creating local community employment. In the social sector, all services are in a state of collapse, and our first priority will be given to the restoration of basic education including non-formal education.
Funding requirements to support the recovery and reconstruction of Afghanistan are enormous. ADB is fully committed to doing all it can to secure necessary resources. Based on our preliminary assessment, ADB is considering assistance in the order of $500 million over two and a half years. Such assistance will be provided in the form of highly concessional loans from ADB's lending window called the Asian Development Fund and grant assistance.
In conclusion, I would like to emphasize how pleased we are that the day draws near when we can once again work together with the Afghan people for the country's development.
Thank you.
RELATED DOCUMENT
News and Events 
Top of page
