Establishing peace in a land still plagued by feuding warlords and roving gangs of bandits is also a priority.
Donors agree that rebuilding Afghanistan matters, but have been quibbling over time-frames for pledges and how to channel the aid. Japan is eyeing a pledge of US$500 million for the first two-and-a-half years, while EU officials have spoken of spending US$500 million annually over a five-year span.
A Saudi newspaper quoted Karzai as saying that Saudi Arabia -- a former ally of the toppled Taliban -- had pledged $20 million in urgent aid as a first installment.
Many in the US feel America has already done its bit by fighting the war, and Washington may pledge only for the first year. Diplomats said the sum might be around US$300 million.
Big donors, seeking to ensure their taxpayers know where the money goes, want to give the money directly to pet projects.
The World Bank has strongly recommended that aid money be funnelled though an umbrella trust fund for ease of coordination.
But Japan, the US and Saudi Arabia have said they would be providing aid through bilateral delivery channels, while the EU has said some of its money would be spent bilaterally and some would be turned over to a fund to be run by the World Bank.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and US Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill also arrived yesterday for the conference.
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