Archived Document
Quarterly Report
The Context: Security, Governance and Development
Governance
Governance—the government’s ability to protect and serve its citizens effectively and accountably—is undermined by persistent weak capacity in Afghan ministries and other institutions. This is an area of particular concern to the international community. Notwithstanding the work of some strong and dedicated Afghan ministers and public servants, the authority and legitimacy of the Afghan government and provincial administrations are compromised and the public’s trust is jeopardized by widespread governmental and political corruption. We are working with the Government of Afghanistan on this with the full recognition that public trust in government is fundamental to sustained progress in other areas of security, reconstruction and development.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan provides support to the improvement of Afghan governing capacity. UNAMA is also working to coordinate international humanitarian, reconstruction and development activities, and to strengthen cooperation with ISAF for better integration of security, governance and development operations. Canada supports the appointment of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative to Afghanistan, which will bring renewed leadership of the international effort both in Kabul and New York.
