Afghanistan announced yesterday (23 October 2013) that it has joined the Construction Sector Transparency Initiative (CoST). Exactly one year after the launch of CoST’s Global Programme, just ahead of the Open Government Partnership’s global Transparency Week, the announcement from Kabul signifies an important step both for Afghanistan, and for CoST.

Afghanistan’s national CoST programme will be led by the Ministry of Economy, and follows recommendations made by the Afghanistan Joint Anti-Corruption Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (MEC) on the need for greater transparency in the construction of infrastructure. The announcement also reinforces the importance of President Hamed Karzai’s 2012 executive decree, which focuses on the fight against corruption.

Afghanistan’s Minister of Economy, Abdul Hadi Arghandiwal, said, “Joining CoST represents a step-change for Afghanistan. In the post-war era, it is crucial that the way in which we approach oversight of public construction is consistent and open, battling against the corruption and mismanagement which can often be overlooked. As part of CoST, Afghanistan will be able to make this happen.”

Christiaan Poortman, Chair of the CoST Board, is excited about Afghanistan’s membership of the initiative: “The announcement in Kabul today demonstrates how important CoST can be for reconstruction and development in fragile states. The ability to put in place the right procedures and frameworks to ensure greater transparency will be essential to Afghanistan’s future. I look forward to seeing all of the benefits that CoST will bring to the country.”