Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
18 January 2002
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will attend the International Conference on Reconstruction Assistance to Afghanistan, chaired by Japan, the United States, the European Union and Saudi Arabia, in Tokyo on 21 and 22 January 2002. Representatives at the Conference will discuss the implementation of assistance to the Afghanistan Interim Authority.
According to a report by the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and the United Nations Development Programme, the rebuilding of Afghanistan is estimated to cost about USD 15 billion over the next decade.
South Africa has been invited to participate in the Conference because of the successful democratisation process implemented after the demise of apartheid. During the Afghanistan Reconstruction Steering Group meeting in Brussels on 20 - 21 December 2001, the restoration of the rights and addressing the needs of women, as the prime victims of oppression in Afghanistan was specially noted. This is one of the areas where South Africa's own experience could be offered to the benefit of the Afghan women. A further area of possible assistance is South Africa's demining technology due to the vast amount of landmines presently hampering the daily lives of the Afghan people.
It is hoped that at the Conference, South Africa's experience and technology could be synergised with major donor countries in trilateral projects with the Afghanistan Interim Authority.
The Minister's attendance at the Conference will signal South Africa's strong support for the reconstruction of Afghanistan and its people.
For further information contact Ronnie Mamoepa at 082 990 4853