Dr. Karima Hamid Faryabi, Minister of Economy
11 June 2021
Select excerpt from August 2021: SHIELDWatch Newsletter
In 2015, the Afghan government outlined a series of sustainable development goals aligned with the Millennium Development Goals and set a target of 2030 for achieving quantifiable objectives across 17 sectors. These sectors include economic growth, clean energy, and climate action, with a summary of achievements and efforts needed to meet those objectives below. The report contains key statistics on infrastructure including highways and electricity grid coverage – including solar panels – as well as an estimated nearly USD$ 11 billion needed over the next ten years make adaptations across the country to mitigate climate change.
The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GoIRA) recognizes the importance and relevance of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to its national priorities. In September 2015, during the UN General Assembly, 193 heads of state and government endorsed the 2030 Agenda and committed to its implementation. Since the adoption of the SDGs, the Afghan government has taken concrete measures to nationalize the global SDGs into Afghanistan Sustainable Development Goals.
In the economic growth and infrastructure spheres, through a sustained dialogue with the private sector, we have been able to increase exports close to $1 billion in 2019 resulting in the reduction of trade imbalance from 21 times exports in 2014 to 7 times in 2019. Our markets are now more integrated and diversified. In 2018, Afghanistan was ranked as the top reformer in the WB Doing of Business Index (DBI). We now have several trade and industries chambers, including the Afghan Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industries. The electricity network has expanded from 9 regions to 25 provinces. The Afghan-India Friendship Dam in Herat, and Bakhsh Abad Dam in Farah provinces were completed, and a series of large dams are under construction. Construction of 3,222 kms of regional highway, 4,121 kms of the national highway, 5,712 kms of provincial road, and 78,000 kms of rural roads; 7800 houses; 200 MW power generation; 150 kms railway tracks; are among some of the key achievements under economic and infrastructure sectors.
Although the economy expanded rapidly between 2001 and 2012, this growth was driven primarily by international aid. The withdrawal of international security forces, a decline of foreign aid due to global pandemic, prolongation of the peace process, and other external shocks, have slowed down overall economic growth. The unprecedented negative impact of COVID-19 on the economy and the above-mentioned challenges underline the need for reconfiguring future growth policies to be more equitable, integrated, and inclusive.
There is a clear gap in providing clean energy for heating supply or provide electricity for clean energy consumption. The key barriers are accessibility, affordability, and the reliability of national grid electricity.
Like the rest of the world, Afghanistan is affected by climate change. Mean annual temperatures have increased by 1.8°C since the 1950s. The central and southwestern regions have been experiencing the highest degree compared to the mean national level with a 2.4°C increase in temperature. The central region had a mean annual temperature of 1.6°C, and northern regions at 1.7°C are experiencing the same level of national mean temperature changes.
Based on these trend analyses and future projections, water, agriculture, forests, rangelands, biodiversity and ecosystems, health, and energy sectors are considered the most vulnerable with significant adaptation needs. Detailed adaptation measures have been reflected in the National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA) and in Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), which assert Afghanistan’s commitment to a low emission development strategy and outlines needs for financial, technical, and capacity support for adaptation valued at USD 10.79 billion over the next ten years.
Want to read more? Check out the August 2021: SHIELDWatch Newsletter
