A major donors' conference for Afghanistan ended on Wednesday with pledges totaling US$10.5 billion to rebuild the strategic Central Asian nation over the next five years.
Afghan Finance Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Ahady hailed the outcome of the two-day gathering of 70-odd nations, saying the funds would help his destitute country "realize our development strategy" after many years of bloody conflict.
Some 80 percent of the US$10.5 billion represents new money, with the remainder made up of outstanding portions of earlier pledges, Ahady said at the conference's conclusion in London.
"This level of commitment underscores the message that Afghanistan will remain a priority for the international community," said British Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells.
The US pledged an extra US$1.1 billion in financial aid for the coming US fiscal year from October, slightly less than the US$1.2 billion from the World Bank.
The Asian Development Bank pledged US$1 billion, Britain US$855 million, Germany US$480 million and Japan US$450 million.
The EU pledged US$268 million, Spain US$182 million, India US$181 million, the Netherlands US$179 million, Saudi Arabia US$153 million and Pakistan US$150 million.
"I am confident that with continued support, we will be able to ensure a very democratic and tolerant society in Afghanistan and a market economy which hopefully will lead to prosperity for all in Afghanistan," Ahady said.
He dismissed suggestions that the money promised may not be delivered in full, stating that donor nations had an excellent record of making good on the pledges made at their last major conference in Bonn, Germany, in 2002.
Ahady also insisted that Kabul could be trusted with the money, and that Afghanistan adheres to the highest international anti-corruption standards.
The pledges following the signing on Tuesday of a five-year pact between Kabul and its international partners are aimed at helping Afghanistan defeat a resurgent Taliban and drug traffickers while building a new life for its people.
Chief among its proposals is a boost to security, particularly in the volatile south were NATO now is deploying peacekeeping forces, in order to create stability for economic and social development.
Other key elements of the Afghanistan Compact set out specific targets for improving governance, strengthening the rule of law and human rights.
"After four years of working together, the international community has shown an even stronger commitment for staying together with the people of Afghanistan," Afghan Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah said.
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