AUSTRALIA’S COMMITMENT TO AFGHANISTAN

Australia will join key partners at the Geneva Conference on Afghanistan to reaffirm our commitment to support Afghanistan’s transition to stability and self-reliance.

 

The Geneva Conference takes place as momentum builds towards meaningful discussions on peace in Afghanistan.  Australia welcomes renewed efforts to find a durable and inclusive, Afghan-owned and Afghan-led, political solution to the ongoing conflict. 

 

At the conference, Australia’s Ambassador in Geneva will reaffirm Australia’s commitment to helping the Afghan people chart a course towards peace and a more secure and prosperous future.

 

Australia will announce a $5 million contribution to provide emergency assistance to almost 1.4 million Afghans who are on the verge of acute famine.  This is in addition to the $5 million the then Foreign Minister announced in July 2018 to support the most vulnerable to gain immediate access to specialised nutritional products.

 

In addition to humanitarian assistance, Australia’s aid program is assisting Afghan farmers to increase community resilience, improve agricultural productivity and access markets, enhancing their economic opportunities. 

 

Australia’s aid also assists women to escape violence and access justice and has helped thousands of girls to attend school, particularly in remote and rural communities.

 

This development assistance is made alongside our longstanding defence commitment to Afghanistan, which includes deployment of around 300 Australian Defence Force personnel and an ongoing commitment to strengthening the Afghan National Security and Defence Forces.