15 December 2011 – Mr. Ajay Chhibber, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Assistant Administrator and UNDP Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, completed his visit to Afghanistan from 13-15 December. During his visit, he met with Government ministers, representatives of the international community and civil society organizations.

The purpose of Mr. Chhibber's visit was to discuss UNDP support to the Afghan-led transition process, follow up on the Bonn Conference, as well as to express UNDP support to capacity development in the years after transition.

Mr. Chhibber and Finance Minister of Afghanistan, Dr. Omar Zakhilwal signed the Letter of Intent as a major step towards 'on-budget' support for UNDP-funded programmes. Mr. Chhibber also met with the Ministers of Education, Mines, Agriculture, Interior, Rehabilitation and Rural Development, CEO of the APRP Joint Secretariat, Senior Economic Advisor to the President, Minister of Women Affairs and Chairman of the Independent Civil Service Commission. Understanding was reached on UNDP support for capacity development for the ongoing Transition process, follow-up to the Bonn Conference, regional economic cooperation, civil service development, human development and economic growth.

"Economic growth is crucial for Afghanistan and UNDP reiterates commitment to support the Government to give that growth a human face so it benefits all Afghans," said Mr. Chhibber.

Mr. Chhibber discussed how UNDP can support the Government's longer term development goals and stressed that the organization was firmly committed to supporting human development for all in Afghanistan.

Mr. Chhibber met senior representatives of the international community in Afghanistan and support for the national priority programmes of the Government was discussed. Collaboration between Afghanistan and its international partners is crucial for the country in moving forward, and Mr. Chhibber briefed donors on UNDP's plans during this time of transition and particularly in the very important years after 2014.

UNDP has worked in Afghanistan for more than 50 years, operating projects across the country's 34 provinces, focusing on crisis prevention and recovery, poverty reduction and democratic governance, including institutional development and support for the most recent election in September, 2010.

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