Results of the Bonn Conference (I read it so you don't have to...)

Results of the Bonn Conference (I read it so you don’t have to…)

This is the outcome document and conference conclusions for 2011’s Bonn conference held in Germany. The Bonn conference is a yearly convention on the situation in Afghanistan, first held in 2001. This was the group that chose Hamid Karzai as the interim authority before his election.

In the outcome document…

Women (and their rights and quality of life) are mentioned four times. (Gender is also mentioned once.)*
Security is mentioned twenty three times.
There are lots of expected reaffirmations of the awesomeness that is democracy and the coolness that is the International Community.
The need for post-2014 aid and support is emphasized, particularly for the Afghan National Security Forces and their continued need for training and equipment. The outcome of the conferences and the blueprint for Afghanistan’s future revolves heavily on continued albeit altered commitment in the Transition period by the International Community.*
We’re all super excited about the NATO summit in Chicago this May.
Narcotics are a big deal and need to be countered through a variety of strategies, working to impact both supply and demand.
The economy is also a crucial element of development and reconstruction and the aim is to support an economy centered around exports and agriculture (also mining).
Corruption and transparency are key issues that need to be addressed in order for the peace process and the development process to move forward successfully. The document particularly calls for a regulatory framework in place for mineral wealth to make sure that it directly benefits the Afghan people.
What do we want? Foreign investment!
Regional relationships are important to maintain and cultivate. (Totally going to work out despite the fact Pakistan wouldn’t even come to this conference….)
We are calling this the Transformation Decade and we think it’s going to be awesome. We’re thinking very positively here.

*For important background on women’s issues in the Afghan peace process, watch the ‘Peace Unveiled’ segment of the Women War & Peace documentary series.

*They capitalized these phrases in the document. For real.