Lauding Japan’s decision to boost aid to Afghanistan, Ban hopes others will follow

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed Japan’s intention to increase its assistance for Afghanistan to a total of up to $5 billion over the next five years, and said he hopes other nations will follow suit.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban called the decision by the Japanese Government a “very positive development.”

The Secretary-General appreciates Japan’s “generous and continued contributions to the efforts and commitment of the international community to promote reconstruction and stability in Afghanistan,” the statement added.