KABUL: The Japanese Ambassador in Kabul, Takashi Okada, has urged the Afghan “de facto” authorities to bolster their legitimacy within the nation as a means to enhance international cooperation.
Speaking during the signing event for the “Empowering Agricultural Production through Community-Driven Irrigation, a collaboration between the Embassy of Japan and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)“, Ambassador Okada emphasized the significance of reinforcing internal credibility.
Okada highlighted that to foster broader international collaboration, the de facto authorities must prioritize the fundamental needs of the people, which will, in turn, lead to an improvement in their external relations. This approach is deemed pivotal in garnering global support and partnerships.
The event also marked the commencement of a noteworthy water initiative in the eastern Kunar province, valued at $9.5 million. The joint initiative was formalized through an agreement between the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and the Japanese government.
Ambassador Okada disclosed that approximately 12,000 individuals stand to benefit from this endeavour. He further elaborated that the Japanese government has committed around $9.5 million to the FAO, earmarked for the restoration and expansion of the legacy project inspired by Tetsu Nakamura.
Richard Trenchard, the FAO Representative in Afghanistan, shared insights into the project’s timeline, revealing that construction is scheduled to initiate in the middle of the upcoming year. The initiative will actively engage local Afghan businesses, and the comprehensive project is anticipated to be finalized by the year 2027.
