Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Governments of Qatar, the United Kingdom, and Germany for co-hosting this vital pledging conference for Afghanistan and its people.

Projections by the United Nations Development Programme that 97% of people in Afghanistan could plunge into poverty by mid-2022 are, sadly, being realised earlier than anticipated.

Remarkably, nearly 25 million people now need assistance to meet their very basic needs: to live without want, without fear -- and with dignity.

Indeed, the collapse of the banking system has generated an unprecedented liquidity crisis.

It has left local enterprises without capital -- and farmers without markets.

Yet, with the right, targeted support, we can get people through today -- and help them build a peaceful tomorrow based on dignity, respect for human rights and new opportunities.

The United Nations Transitional Engagement Framework is a crucial part of these efforts.

It aims to ensure immediate humanitarian relief while also meeting basic human needs and restoring essential services.

UNDP with its UN, donor, NGO, and private sector partners is putting this framework into action on the ground, through the ABADEI strategy.

As part of this engagement, UNDP has launched an ambitious local recovery programme to safeguard livelihoods and productive activities.

This year alone, we aim to support more than 50,000 small and medium enterprises, many of which are led by women.

Excellencies,

In their hour of need, the United Nations and its many partners will ‘stay and deliver’ for the people of Afghanistan.

The UN appeal for the humanitarian response plan is 4.4 billion dollars.

I also ask that you consider the 3.4 billion dollars needed for basic human needs and essential services.

Your funding will help to save lives -- and livelihoods.

It will make a critical contribution to socio-economic programmes that will help people to get back on their feet.

In tandem, it is vital to respect the rights of all girls to get an education.

With your investment in the country’s very foundations, you will give the people of Afghanistan the platform to build that brighter future themselves.

I am speaking to you here from Afghanistan to send you this plea today.