ARTF builds strong partnership with government for development results

In Dari|  In Pashto

Kabul, September 16, 2008 – Donors and the Afghan government gathered today to discuss an independent eva luation of the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF) – Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund: External Evaluation Report. The evaluation has found that the ARTF has played a vital role in supporting the Afghan government to bring development to people throughout the country and also to strengthen its management of public finances. The report, produced by Norwegian firm Scanteam, an independent research company, sets out a strategic vision for the future of the ARTF, which donors have now agreed to extend until 2020.

"The ARTF has played a vital role in helping the Afghan government rebuild its state institutions," said HE Anwar-ul-Aaq Ahady, Afghanistan Finance Minister. "The government of Afghanistan appreciates the international community’s contribution through the ARTF and anticipates more donor commitments through this channel. ARTF will not only address Afghan priority needs, but it will also strengthen government’s capacity across the country."

According to the independent report, ARTF supported national priority programs such as the National Solidarity Program (NSP), the National Rural Access Program (NRAP) and Microfinance Investment Support Facility (MISFA) have delivered impressive results. Looking ahead, the report argues ARTF should evolve into the main source of financial support to implement the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS). The authors also encourage donors to use the ARTF to make technical assistance more coherent, effective and efficient. However, in order to improve its effectiveness overall, the ARTF should build a stronger partnership between the donors and the government, more focused on monitoring policy outcomes.

"The ARTF has become a critical part of the aid architecture in Afghanistan," said Mariam J. Sherman, World Bank Country Manager for Afghanistan. "The objective of all ARTF partners is to ensure that Afghans are able to take control of their own future and are in the driving seat in determining the priorities for national reconstruction."

Donors continue to contribute generously to the ARTF. For solar year 1387, donors are pledging US$670 million, bringing the total pledges over the last six years to over US$3 billion. The main ARTF donors are the United Kingdom, the United States, Netherlands, Germany, the European Commission, Norway and Canada. Iran, India and Arab states are also members of the ARTF.