Posted 01 April 2010 by David Miliband  | 

Following on from the decree launching the High Office of Oversight , the Afghan government announced last week the approval of a new sub-national governance policy.

This is another significant achievement against the London Conference commitments. As I have mentioned in the past, the experience of government for most Afghans takes place predominantly at the village level. Getting governance right locally is crucial to showing the Afghan people that their government can deliver the services they need.

This has been a major weakness – as I highlighted in my recent MIT speech  But this announcement is an important step forward, which shows real commitment and leadership from the Afghan government. The new policy defines the responsibilities and authority of local administrations, strengthens local governance structures and will improve the delivery of services. The test now is to ensure that this is followed through– with the full support of the international community.

David Miliband

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Posted 01 February 2010 by David Miliband  |  9 comments

The London Conference on Afghanistan was set a clear goal to mobilise international civilian and military support behind the priorities of improved security, better governance and stronger regional buy-in, all under the rubric of Afghan leadership and international partnership.
 
The communiqué  shows the deliverables achieved. The wider, less tangible outcome is greater clarity and coherence around the world in the plan for the next decisive year in Afghanistan. At my Press Conference at the close of the Conference I tried to set out the basis for this. The difficulties are profound, but some of the  parallels upon which doom is predicted don't hold up.
 
I spoke to General McChrystal on Saturday morning, on his way back to Kabul. His own speech at the Conference showed how military and civilian action is now interwoven in support of a clear drive for a political settlement. This is a theme to which I will return.


David Miliband

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Posted 15 January 2010 by David Miliband  |  3 comments

I'll be in Washington next week.  While I'm there, I'll be speaking to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee about the London Conference and Afghanistan campaign. Very grateful to Senator Kerry for his kind invitation.  It's very important for me before the Conference to hear the the views of this influential Committee on this vital issue. It's also important that the US sees that the international community is mobilising.


David Miliband

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Posted 10 January 2010 by David Miliband  |  2 comments

My sixth visit to Pakistan comes at an important point, three weeks out from the London conference. I've had discussions with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister in Islamabad and I will meet the President in Karachi later today.

Pakistan is a key partner in the international community's efforts in Afghanistan. It needs to be fully involved if the London conference is to make progress on security, governance and regional co-operation; the issues that count. My discussions here have brought home again the complexity of the challenge in the border areas and the need for stability and security in both countries.

David Miliband

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Posted 15 December 2009 by David Miliband  |  4 comments

2010 will be an important year for nuclear issues. Preparations are underway for the Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) next May which presents a key opportunity to agree actions which will pave the way towards a safer world for all. 

Today the International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament has published a report: “Eliminating Nuclear Threats” The report is a welcome contribution to the debate, it recognises the complexities of the challenges and makes some serious recommendations. And it comes at the right time, with just under five months to go before the Review Conference.

The Government is working hard with partners from across the international community on the three areas covered by the NPT: nuclear non-proliferation, disarmament and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.  The PM set out a detailed agenda in July in “the Road to 2010”.  

We want to see a Review Conference which reinvigorates and strengthens the NPT regime.  Achieving all this will require determined, long-term international co-operation by both Nuclear and Non-Nuclear Weapon States.

David Miliband

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Posted 27 February 2009 by David Miliband  | 

Over the next few months British forces will complete their mission in Basra. But British engagement should go up: in business, education and culture this city wants British partnership. We will keep our Consulate here. The Invest Iraq conference will promote business here. Basra has the chance of a better future.



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Posted 05 February 2009 by David Miliband  |  6 comments

This article from the Atlantic Press Review Blog discusses some interesting comment pieces on NATO at 60. These are issues I'm grappling with at the moment. Tomorrow I make a speech  at the Wehrkunder Security Conference in Munich. Its about how NATO and the EU can deal with both conventional security threats within its borders, and the new global threats from terrorism, climate change and nuclear proliferation.  This is a great opportunity for Europe, NATO, and the world to think clearly and deeply about our common security. I look forward to a fascinating debate with many of the world's leaders in attendance.

David Miliband

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Posted 19 July 2008 by David Miliband  |  4 comments

Six months ago the threat of instability in the Western Balkans was near the top of the FCO list of political risks. The news of the last six months has been how little news there has been; and in this case no news is good news. And while there is no news, there is real work going on. For example last week there was the first successful Donor Conference for an independent Kosovo, where the government of Kosovo presented its Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and international pledges of 1.2 billion Euros were made to support the programme. The vast majority of donors are EU Member States but Israel, Turkey, Japan and Saudi Arabia also pledged. It is good stuff.

David Miliband

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Posted 22 April 2008 by David Miliband  | 

The Iraq conference provided the opportunity for some unique gatherings - including a new Friends of Lebanon group with a preponderance of Arab members but French, UK and US support. The conclusions of the meeting are reported here.

What the conclusions do not say is a) it is striking that Arab states have become so impatient with Syria that they want to speak out and b) the urgency of the situation demands support for the Lebanese government in economic, political and security terms.

18 times, including today, the Lebanese parliament has been summoned to elect a president - and failed because of the blocking tactics of the minority. Lebanon is not just a symptom of Middle East tension. It is also a sovereign country deserving of urgent support.

David Miliband

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