The overall strategy for the development of Afghanistan is the (interim) Afghanistan National Development Strategy (I)-ANDS. Based on this there are several arenas for consultation between the Government of Afghanistan and the international community. The main formal consulting mechanism is the Joint Coordination & Monitoring Board (JCMB) including a system of Consultative Groups (CG) and Working Groups (WG).
The Interim Afghanistan National Development Strategy (I-ANDS) is the equivalent to an Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Programme. In Afghanistan the I-ANDS proposes a coherent strategy across three interdependent pillars (1) security (2) governance, rule of law, and human rights and (3) economic and social development, in addition to five cross-cutting themes. Within each there are ongoing development programs and coordination with the international donors in order to provide funding.
The Afghanistan Compact (AC) sets out detailed outcomes, benchmarks and timelines for delivery, consistent with the high level goals set by the I-ANDS. The AC was approved at the London Conference in January 2006 and endorsed by the UN Security Council. At the London-meeting the Government of Afghanistan and the international community committed themselves to improve the effectiveness and accountability of international assistance set forth in the AC.
There is ongoing work to finalise a new Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS) which according to plan will be finalised and approved by the Cabinet and Parliament by mid-March 2008.
Coordination between the Government of Afghanistan and International Community is taken place in several arenas both formal and informal. The most important formal arena is the Joint Coordination & Monitoring Board (JCMB) which meets four times a year. The Nordic countries are represented by one seat, at present headed by the Norwegian Ambassador. The JCMB structure also includes several Consultative Groups (CG), each with Working Groups and/or Technical Working Group. Norway is represented in the relevant CGs which meets four times a year. In addition Norway is present in some of the Working Groups.
Yearly the Government and International Community meet at The Afghanistan Development Forum (ADF). The last was convened in Kabul 29 and 30 April 2007.
Norwegian support:
Norway is supporting the ANDS/JCMB project through the UNDP. The aim is to empower the ANDS secretariat in their coordinating effort of creating the new ANDS and to follow up the commitments in the JCMB. The overall goal is to ensure broad ownership and consensus of the ANDS across government, society in general, and international donors, while ensuring that the ANDS meets the PRSP requirements, and is capable of making a significant impact on development and poverty reduction.
In addition Norway’s support to programmes and project are all aligned with the I-ANDS framework and AC benchmarks. The total overview of the support from Norway to Afghanistan is displayed under “Norwegian development in Afghanistan” and also an overview is given within each sector and topic under the headings of Development cooperation.
Other relevante documents:
Norwegian Embassy