KABUL - Local Government officials and members of civil society from Kandahar province stressed that provinces should have their say in the implementation of the National Priority Programs (NPPs)

Speaking at the workshop organized jointly by the Ministry of Economy and UNAMA Kandahar, Mr Aziz Ahmad Khalid, the Head of Sector Services, said that before implementing the NPPs, the basic needs and priorities of the provinces should be considered and enshrined in the NPPs.

NPP is a joint initiative by the Government of Afghanistan and the international community since late 2010 to make the Afghan transition process smoother and more sustainable in terms of governance, security, and development as a derivative of the Afghanistan National Development Strategy.

“This is a great opportunity for all of the participants to understand the concept of NPPs and have their views reflected in the policy making process for Afghanistan”, said Mr. Abdusamat Khaydarov, the Head of Office for UNAMA Kandahar at his inaugural speech.

We have invited a group of experts from Kabul to share their presentations and expertise in regard to NPPs and I hope that each of you will benefit from this workshop, Mr. Khaydarov added.

Mr. Manav Sachdeva Maasoom, UNAMA Civil Affairs Officer and one of the facilitators explained the main objective of the workshop as to introduce the process of NPP and its relation with ANDS and how to implement this program in the country.

In the Tokyo Conference, US$ 16 billion have been pledged for Afghanistan and 80 per cent of the funds will be spent on priorities identified by the Afghanistan Government and the remaining 20 per cent by the donors themselves.

The participants had a session of group work for brainstorming on NPPs which was very productive.

“The workshop was very useful and it provided us the chance to raise our concerns and later share it with Kabul level,” stated Fahima Rahmati, the Director of HEDSA NGO in Kandahar.

Ms Rahmati stressed the role of women in the decision making process in the country.

By UNAMA Kandahar