On 24 August 2005, Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht agreed to make an additional contribution of USD 1 million (from the conflict prevention budget) to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the forthcoming elections in Afghanistan.
This contribution will fund the logistical support for the elections due to be held on 18 September 2005, which will see the members of the lower house of the Afghan Parliament and the members of the new provincial councils elected.
Belgium's total contribution to the electoral process now amounts to USD 2 million. USD 1 million was already earmarked in May (half of which came from the conflict prevention budget and the other half from the structural intervention budget for development cooperation).