Nato Recommends Better Governance to Make the Most of Tokyo

Afghanistan must take more steps towards good governance in order to make the most of the generosity of the international community, as evidenced in the Tokyo conference, Nato civilian spokesman in Afghanistan Dominic Medley said Monday.

"Afghanistan must continue to make progress in governance reform in reinforcing values which are enshrined in the constitution of Afghanistan," Medley said at the press conference in Kabul.

His statements come after the international community on Sunday pledged $16bn to Afghanistan over the next four years on a condition that the Afghan government reigned in corruption and provided good governance to Afghan people.

Medley added that access to justice and improved delivery of services for the people were key areas in this regard.

"Access to justice, the fight against corruption, the efficient distribution of resources and improved delivery of services are all needed if Afghanistan is to make the most of the opportunity from Tokyo and the many conferences before. All those areas require work by the government of Afghanistan and by the donors which are laid out in the declaration from the Tokyo conference," he added.

However, not everyone is confident that the current Afghan government can effectively implement the changes needed.

Political expert Mir Ahmad Joyenda said that he does not the current government and hoped for a new government after the presidential election in 2014 with broader anti-corruption efforts to spend the promised amount effectively.

"With such a system [as now], there is no guarantee this money will be spent in a transparent and effective way," Joyenda told TOLOnews.

"We hope the new government will be able to spend the money effectively and stand against corruption," he added.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai promised in his address to the delegates at Tokyo conference that more would be done, with their help, to curb corruption.