At a Jan. 19 economic conference held in Kabul, presided over by the Islamic Emirate’s Prime Minister Mullah Hassan Akhund, the UN’s special envoy for Afghanistan Deborah Lyons, reported that the UN is working on a proposal to urge donors to provide $8 billion in aid for the country. According to TOLOnews, she also said that the UN is exploring options of removing existing sanctions on the country as well. Attending the conference were representatives of 20 nations, some virtually, 8 international organizations, academics, diplomats whose embassies still operate in Kabul, and representatives of the private sector.
Speaking at the presidential palace, the Arg, Lyons spoke of some modest progress that has been made in facilitating cash transfers to Afghanistan through the banking system, as humanitarian aid, indicating that the government had helped in obtaining permission to import cash “to address the crippling lack of liquidity” in December and January. Also at the conference, the Ministry of Finance said that agreements had been reached with “relevant stakeholders"—no names mentioned—in four areas: the resumption of unfinished development projects, the removal of restrictions on the banking system, support for the private sector, and persuading Chinese traders to invest in Afghanistan. Finance Ministry spokesman Ahmad Wali Haqmal reported that “all sides, including nationals and foreigners, called for the removal of restrictions on the banking system. These restrictions and the freeze of Afghan assets, harms Afghanistan,” he said. Reportedly, some of the countries in attendance pledged to invest in mine extraction and agricultural development in Afghanistan, but no further details were provided.
