Lauding Japan’s decision to boost aid to Afghanistan, Ban hopes others will follow

11 Nov 2009

Lauding Japan’s decision to boost aid to Afghanistan, Ban hopes others will follow

NEW YORK - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed Japan’s intention to increase its assistance for Afghanistan to a total of up to $5 billion over the next five years, and said he hopes other nations will follow suit.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban called the decision by the Japanese Government a “very positive development.”

The Secretary-General appreciates Japan’s “generous and continued contributions to the efforts and commitment of the international community to promote reconstruction and stability in Afghanistan,” the statement added.