June 2014, Hiroshima, Japan - The UNITAR Hiroshima Office recently completed training on the adoption of a Green Economy to 20 representatives of the Government of Afghanistan. Hailing from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and the Ministry of Economy, and in a programme delivered in close collaboration with the Afghanistan Civil Service Institute and UNDP Afghanistan, the participants represented both Kabul based Civil Servants, as well as Provincial Directors, allowing for some very focused discussions as to the on-the-ground implementability of the issues presented.

The programme, delivered between 26 and 20 May, focused not only on the theories and benefits of a Green Economy to sustainable development, but also on methodologies for stakeholder awareness raising and programmatic implementation. The concept of a green economy has received increasing international attention recently, as countries explore new patterns of development that take into account economic, social and environmental sustainability considerations. Participants examined different concepts and facets of the green economy, as well as global, national and sector-specific challenges and opportunities to advance low-carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive development.

By the end of the programme, participants were to have been able to:

• Define the concept of a green economy and explain its value;
• Describe social, environmental and economic benefits of advancing a green economy;
• Identify enabling conditions for greening national economies;
• Identify principal challenges and opportunities for greening key economic sectors;
• Describe national planning processes in support of a green transformation;
• Outline key elements of action plan development;
• Illustrate processes for effective stakeholder identification and integration.