The event was co-sponsored by the Laurier Centre for Military Strategic and Disarmament Studies, The centre for International Governance Innovation, The Academic Council on the United Nations System, the Centre on Federalism and Foreign Policy and Waterloo University

Tout d’abord permettez moi de vous remercier pour l’invitation que vous avez adresser a moi-même et a Monsieur Wahid Monawar notre Consul General a Toronto ainsi que son collègue Mr Wali, afin de représenter le point de vue du Gouvernement Afghan sur la situation de cette partie importante du monde et le rôle que le Canada continue a jouer avec un engagement tridimensionnel.

Some observers believe that declaring success in Afghanistan is premature because the modest results of the past three years reflect the limited resources that the donor community, including troop-contributing countries, has invested in the country.

As President Karzai recently said in Europe, “…the end of the Bonn process must not be the end of your commitment and support to Afghanistan, but the beginning of along-term and more comprehensive partnership.

The goal of achieving lasting stability, democratization and development require sustainable support and multi-year commitments, preferably in an increasing manner through the Afghan Government, cutting down on waste, excess, overlap and unnecessary expenditure, with the intent to build up Afghan capacity, build institutions and put the economy on solid and productive footing.

The Afghan people no longer want to merely hear the talk, nor should we give them any reason to think that Afghanistan will be rebuilt on the cheap, as increasingly reflected in the public opinion. They want to feel protected from internal and external threats, they want help that rebuilds the country’s institutional and human capacities, they expect to see real reconstruction and serious development take place, and they want to feel the change in their lives and in their environment…

Main talking points presented:

• Threats from insurgency caused by cross-border infiltration
• Peaceful reintegration of former fighters
• Role of PRTs and assistance with governance
• Reform of judicial sector and fight against corruption
• Role of the United Nations beyond Bonn
• Recent significance of recent Afghanistan Development Forum
• Afghan reconstruction and development priorities
• Private sector as engine of growth
• Effective strategy to fight narcotics