Laghman officials roll out development plans at UNAMA-backed meeting

10 Feb 2016

Laghman officials roll out development plans at UNAMA-backed meeting

JALALABAD - Provincial authorities met with UN officials in Afghanistan’s eastern province of Laghman at a UNAMA-backed meeting to identify development projects for the year ahead.

Abdul Jabar Naeemi, Laghman’s Governor, spoke at the meeting about his province’s plans for 2016, noting that, while unemployment remains an issue, provincial revenue has significantly increased as a result of reform initiatives designed to ensure accountability and transparency.

Representatives from Afghanistan’s Department of Economy, the local municipality and other officials outlined specific development projects for Laghman, a province known for its active agricultural industry and trade.

UN agency representative pledged support to the province to increase women’s participation in government and in the police, and to bring positive change through small-scale projects.

In addition, a representative from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) indicated that IOM will work with the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority to take preventive measures in 2016 to respond quickly to emergencies.

The head of UNAMA’s Jalalabad office, Heran Song, said that better interaction among the provincial authorities and UN agencies will strengthen coordination and result in more effective implementation of development projects.

UNAMA is mandated to support the Afghan Government and relevant international and local non-governmental organizations to assist in the full implementation of the fundamental freedoms and human rights provisions of the Afghan Constitution and international treaties to which Afghanistan is a State party, in particular those regarding the full enjoyment by women of their human rights.