Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - Enhanced Integrated Framework ...

The regional cooperation initiatives are intendedto increase access to power; generaterevenues through transit trade; reduce impedimentsto trade and expand both importand export opportunities; increase investmentand contribute to improved employment andbusiness opportunities; facilitate the free flowof goods, services, and technology; allow thecosts or benefits of development of commonresources to be shared; reduce regional tensionsand facilitate regional efforts to reducecross border crime and terrorism; and facilitatethe voluntary return of refugees.Counter-narcotics programs are designed to;(i) disrupt the drugs trade; (ii) strengthen anddiversify legal rural livelihoods; (iii) reduce thedemand for illicit drugs and improve treatmentfor drug users; and (iv) strengthen state institutionscombating the drug scourge within centraland provincial governments. Provincialgovernors will be responsible and accountablefor the process of control and management ofcounter narcotics intervention in their jurisdictionwith support from MCN.The National Anti-Corruption Strategy isbased on the following key goals: (i) enhancinggovernment anti-corruption commitment andleadership; (ii) raising awareness of corruptionand evaluating the effectiveness of anticorruptionmeasures; (iii) mainstreaming anticorruptioninto government reforms and nationaldevelopment; and (iv) strengthening thelegal framework for fighting corruption andbuilding an institutional capacity for effectiveimplementation of the United Nations ConventionAgainst Corruption (UNCAC).The ANDS goal for gender equality is an Afghanistanwhere women and men enjoy security,equal rights and equal opportunities in allspheres of life. The National Action Plan forWomen focuses on three main outcomes: (i)government entities embracing ‘gender equality’in their employment, promotion, policymaking and budgetary allocations; (ii) measurableimprovements in women’s status as evidencedby reduced illiteracy; higher net enrollmentratio in educational and training programs;equal wages for equal work; lower maternalmortality; increasing leadership and participationin all spheres of life; greater economicopportunities and access to and controlover productive assets and income; adequateaccess to equal justice; reduced vulnerability toviolence in public and domestic spheres; and(iii) greater social acceptance of gender equalityas evidenced by increased participation bywomen in public affairs and policy discussions.The ANDS capacity development objectiveis to assure that the skills needed to effectivelyimplement programs and projects included inthe ANDS exist or can be developed within therequired time frame for implementation. Theinstitutional responsibility will be with InterministerialCommission for Capacity Development(ICCD) that will serve as a single reportingpoint for both government and donors.ICCD will provide a coordinated approach tosupport the effective management of funds andaid flows, to cut down on duplication and toensure that critical capabilities for program andproject implementation are well defined and(most importantly) that capacity developmentand technical assistance programs are properlyfocused on meeting these critical needs.Environmental protection efforts are gearedto: restoration and sustainable use of rangelandsand forests; conservation of biodiversity;preservation of Natural and Cultural Heritagesites or resources; encouragement to communitybased natural resource management, preventionand/or abatement of pollution; andimproved environmental management, educationand awareness. Throughout all sectors,any environmental costs will be fully accountedfor in appraisals aimed at ensuringthat benefits of proposed programs or projects.ENHANCING AIDEFFECTIVENESS AND AIDCOORDINATIONThe Government has implemented processes toincrease the monitoring of aid-funded activitiesand to improve the efficiency of implementation.The Aid Coordination Unit in the Ministryof Finance has responsibility for issues relatedto the delivery and monitoring of externalassistance. The Government would like to seeincreased core budget support (direct budgetsupport), giving greater ownership and enablinga more effective allocation of resourcesbased on needs and priorities. Channeling aidthrough established trust funds is also effective,with the Government able to access fundson an as needed basis. Pooling of donor fundsalso significantly reduces the duplication of14Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS)