United Nations Radio

The challenge for the United Nations in Afghanistan will be to provide assistance to the government in its efforts to implement the Afghan National Development Strategy, and ensure the donor community responds adequately.

That's what the UN Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Kai Eide (photo) told the Security Council.

He says there are two important pillars which will be decisive for the success of the UN's work -- the first of which he adds, is to undertake a massive institution-building effort.

"The second such pillar is the expansion of key sectors of the economy. There is an urgent need to increase agricultural production and invest in large-scale energy projects. In spite of the fact that more than 80 per cent of the Afghan population depends directly on agriculture for their livelihood, only a very modest amount of money has been been diverted to this sector of the economy."

Special Envoy Eide says it is from the agriculture and energy sectors that real and sustainable growth in the economy can come.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

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