What steps must the Afghan government and the international community take to promote security, good governance and development in Afghanistan? In this Compact from the 2006 London Conference on Afghanistan, the Afghan government and international community commit themselves to realising a vision for Afghanistan’s future. That vision is based on three pillars of activity: security; good governance, rule of law and human rights; and economic and social development. The Compact also identifies eliminating the narcotics industry as a vital and cross-cutting area of work.
Security is a fundamental prerequisite for stability in Afghanistan and requires good governance, justice and the rule of law, reinforced by reconstruction and development. With the support of the international community, the Afghan Government will consolidate peace by disbanding all illegal armed groups. Together with the international community, it will strengthen Afghan institutions to meet the security needs of the country in a fiscally sustainable manner.
The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), the US and partner nations involved in security sector reform will continue to support the Afghan Government in establishing security. They will strengthen and develop the capacity of national security forces to ensure that they become fully functional. All US counter-terrorism operations will be conducted in coordination with the Afghan Government and ISAF. ISAF will continue to expand its presence throughout Afghanistan and promote stability and support security sector reform in its areas of operation. Democratic governance and the protection of human rights constitute the cornerstone of sustainable political progress in Afghanistan. The Afghan Government will:
- expand capacity to provide basic services throughout the country and implement measurable improvements in fighting corruption, upholding the rule of law and promoting human rights;
- recruit competent and credible professionals to public service based on merit and establish more effective, accountable and transparent administration at all levels of government;
- give priority to the coordinated establishment in each province of functional institutions with appropriate legal frameworks and appointment procedures, trained staff and adequate capacity;
- establish a fiscally and institutionally sustainable administration for future elections under the supervision of the Afghanistan Independent Electoral Commission;
- with the international community, ensure equal, fair and transparent access to justice for all and implement the Action Plan on Peace, Justice and Reconciliation; and
- with the international community, protect and promote rights provided for in the Afghan constitution and under applicable international law.
Public investments will be structured around infrastructure and natural resources; education; health; agriculture and rural development; social protection; and economic governance and private sector development. In each area, the objective is to achieve measurable results towards equitable economic growth that reduces poverty, enhances opportunities and improves the well-being of Afghans. In the area of economic and social development, the Afghan Government, with the support of the international community, will:
- pursue high rates of sustainable economic growth with the aim of reducing hunger, poverty and unemployment;
- promote the role and potential of the private sector, alongside those of the public and non-profit sectors;
- curb the narcotics industry;
- ensure macroeconomic stability;
- restore and promote the development of the country’s human, social and physical capital, and strengthen civil society; and
- complete the reintegration of returnees, internally displaced persons and ex-combatants.
