London Conference on Afghanistan

London Conference on Afghanistan. The conference was a major international gathering held on January 28, 2010, in London, attended by representatives from over 70 countries, including United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, and European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton. The conference aimed to discuss the future of Afghanistan and the ongoing War in Afghanistan (2001-2021), with a focus on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism strategies, as well as reconstruction and development efforts, in collaboration with organizations such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and Asian Development Bank. The conference was co-chaired by United Kingdom Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, and United Nations Special Representative for Afghanistan Kai Eide.

Background and context

The War in Afghanistan (2001-2021) had been ongoing for nearly a decade, with the Taliban insurgency showing no signs of weakening, despite the presence of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops from countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. The conference was seen as an opportunity for the international community to reassess its strategy and commitment to Afghanistan, with input from experts such as David Petraeus, Stanley McChrystal, and Robert Gates. The conference also drew on lessons learned from previous conflicts, such as the Iraq War, and the experiences of organizations such as the Red Cross, United Nations Development Programme, and World Health Organization. In the months leading up to the conference, there were significant developments in the region, including the Kabul Indian embassy attack and the North-West Frontier Province Operation Rah-e-Nijat, which involved Pakistan Armed Forces and Inter-Services Intelligence.

Participants and delegations

The conference was attended by a diverse range of participants, including heads of state and government, such as United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Other notable attendees included European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe James Stavridis, and Afghanistan Minister of Foreign Affairs Rangin Dadfar Spanta. The conference also included representatives from international organizations, such as the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), World Food Programme, and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), as well as non-governmental organizations, such as Oxfam, Save the Children, and International Rescue Committee. Delegations from countries such as China, India, and Russia also played a significant role in the conference, with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev sending high-level representatives.

Agenda and key topics

The conference agenda focused on several key topics, including security and stabilization, governance and corruption, economic development and poverty reduction, and regional cooperation and diplomacy. The conference also discussed the importance of reconciliation and reintegration efforts, including the Afghanistan Peace and Reintegration Program, which aimed to encourage Taliban fighters to lay down their arms and reintegrate into Afghanistan society. The conference drew on expertise from institutions such as the Brookings Institution, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Center for Strategic and International Studies, as well as think tanks such as the International Institute for Strategic Studies and the Royal United Services Institute. Other key topics included the role of civil society and non-governmental organizations in Afghanistan, as well as the need for increased humanitarian aid and development assistance from organizations such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID).

Agreements and outcomes

The conference resulted in several key agreements and outcomes, including a commitment to increase international support for Afghanistan and to enhance regional cooperation and diplomacy. The conference also established a framework for transition and handover of security responsibilities from ISAF to Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), with a target date of 2014, in line with the Lisbon Summit and the Chicago Summit. The conference also emphasized the importance of good governance and anti-corruption efforts, including the establishment of an Independent Commission for Oversight of Corruption and the implementation of Afghanistan National Development Strategy. The conference outcomes were welcomed by organizations such as the European Union, NATO, and the United Nations, as well as countries such as Australia, Canada, and Japan.

Reactions and criticism

The conference received a mixed reaction from the international community, with some praising the renewed commitment to Afghanistan and others criticizing the lack of concrete progress on key issues such as security and corruption. The conference was also criticized by some for failing to adequately address the needs and concerns of Afghan civilians, including women's rights and human rights, as highlighted by organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. Other critics argued that the conference did not do enough to address the root causes of the conflict, including poverty and inequality, and that it relied too heavily on military solutions rather than diplomatic and developmental approaches, as advocated by experts such as Joseph Nye and Samantha Power.

Subsequent developments and legacy

The London Conference on Afghanistan marked an important turning point in the international community's approach to Afghanistan, with a renewed focus on transition and handover of security responsibilities to Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). The conference also laid the groundwork for subsequent international gatherings, including the Kabul Conference and the Bonn Conference, which built on the momentum generated in London. The conference outcomes also influenced the development of Afghanistan National Development Strategy and the Afghanistan Compact, which aimed to promote sustainable development and stability in Afghanistan. The legacy of the conference continues to be felt today, with ongoing efforts to promote peace and stability in Afghanistan and the wider region, involving organizations such as the Quadrilateral Coordination Group and the Heart of Asia–Istanbul Process. Category:International conferences