15:30/28:01:2010

LONDON (PAN): A crucial international conference on the reintegration of Taliban insurgents into society, ensuring security and boosting economic development of Afghanistan got under way here on Thursday. British Foreign Secretary David Miliband welcomed President Hamid Karzai and a high-powered Afghan government delegation to the event, billed as important for the future of the conflict-devastated country.The moot is being co-chaired by UNAMA head Kai Eide, UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband and outgoing Afghan Foreign Minister Rangin Spanta. Among those invited are foreign ministers from the 43 countries contributing troops to ISAF.

Co-hosted by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, President Hamid Karzai and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the conference is not just about soliciting more troops and money.

Karzai's deputy spokesman Hamid Ilmi told Pajhwok Afghan News the president and the British premier discussed the conference at a breakfast meeting. Karzai will meet the UN chief and families of the UK troops killed in Afghanistan.

"We hope the conference will secure the political commitment needed from Afghanistan 's international partners to build peace, ensure security and boost development," said UNAMA spokesman Aleem Siddique.

The aim of the conference is to drive forward the campaign in Afghanistan , match the increase in military forces with an enhanced political momentum, focus the international community on a clear set of priorities across the 43-nation coalition and marshal the maximum international effort to help the government deliver.

Also attending the moot are Afghanistan's immediate neighbours and key regional players; representatives from NATO, the United Nations, the European Union and other international organisations such as the World Bank.

The conference agenda includes three key areas of security, governance and development, and regional support. A communiqu that will include commitments from the government of Afghanistan to its people for the next 18 months to two years and corresponding commitments from the international community will be issued at the end of the event.

Ahead of the gathering, the president told the BBC his country would need support from the West over the next 15 years. "With regard to training and equipping the Afghan security forces, five to 10 years will be enough."

A $500 million scheme aimed at weaning Taliban fighters away from the escalating insurgency to the civilian society is expected to be unveiled. The fund will be used to provide jobs, homes and farming assistance to the militants.

Reconciliation with disgruntled elements, greater role for Afghan security forces in conducting operations, regional cooperation, combating corruption and the country's economy uplift are the salient features of Afghanistan 's strategy.

Karzai is accompanied by Foreign Minister Dr. Zalmay Rasul, Defence Minister gen. Abdul Rahim Wardak, Interior Minister Hanif Atmar, Finance Minister Omar Zakhelwal, Education Minister Farooq Wardak, spy chief Amrullah Saleh, Independent Directorate of Local Governance head Ghulam Jilani Popal and others.

Using the opportunity, the Afghan delegates will meet officials from Pakistan , Saudi Arabia , the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt , Iran and other countries on increased regional cooperation.