HERAT - UNAMA has brought together a group of Herat-based diplomats to discuss ways of improving the planning and coordination of development assistance in Afghanistan’s Western Region.

During the meeting in Herat, representatives of India, Iran and Turkmenistan stressed their support of good governance, reconstruction and development.

Khalil Osman, the Head of UNAMA’s Herat office, underlined the importance of coordination among the donor community to prevent project overlap, and to enhance and consolidate complementarities.

“With an eye to inspire fresh confidence and hope in the Western Region we hosted this meeting hoping to foster improvement in the delivery and planning of infrastructural projects funded by donor countries with diplomatic representation in Herat,” he said.

Participants also shared information about major development projects expected to bring substantial economic and social benefits to the Afghan people.

UNAMA is responsible for the direction and oversight of all UN relief, recovery and reconstruction activities in Afghanistan. One of the main functions of UNAMA’s Aid Coherence Unit is to coordinate the humanitarian development activities of UN agencies and to promote aid effectiveness and good development practice.

Discussions are underway to turn the one-off diplomatic meeting in Herat into a regular UNAMA-hosted forum.