UN development agency supports Afghanistan's efforts to draft constitution

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today provided Afghanistan's newly established Constitutional Commission with funds to cover its start-up operating costs.

The $60,000 initial donation will enable the new Commission, launched this week by the former King of Afghanistan, Zaher Shah, to begin its important work immediately, UNDP said.

"UNDP is delighted to be able to support the Commission in its most important task of designing a new constitution that will guide the Afghan nation into the future," said Ercan Murat, the agency's Country Director in Afghanistan.

The adoption of a new Constitution is one of the major tasks required under the Bonn Agreement, which forms the basis for Afghanistan's political transition.