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BONN, Germany, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- The United States is ready to stand with Afghanistan, but the Afghans must honor the commitments they made, too, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said. "We look forward to working with them to embrace reform, lead their own defense and strengthen their democracy," Clinton said after a gathering of 90 countries in Bonn, Germany, where leaders discussed Afghanistan's future.
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Afghan President Hamid Karzai, in opening remarks, pledged to tackle corruption, enforce the law and pursue judicial reforms, but did not provide a blueprint on how the goals would be accomplished, Stars and Stripes reported.
He also said his country would need billions of dollars in international financial help for at least another 10 years after coalition forces leave in 2014 to insulate economic, social and security gains against collapse.
"As we look to the transformation decade beyond 2014 -- that is from 2015 to 2024 -- Afghanistan will require continued financial support from its partners in order to consolidate the gains of the past decade and realize greater security and economic sustainability," Karzai said.
Notably absent from the conference was Pakistan, which boycotted the event to protest the deaths of 24 Pakistani soldiers in a NATO-led airstrike in November.
Clinton said she thought it would be critical that the United states maintain its "fight, talk, build" approach of going after al-Qaida, its networks and allies to increase pressure on insurgents while "supporting inclusive reconciliation and sustainable development."
Afghan leaders committed to expand the capacity of the Afghan security forces, with the United States and its partners committed to training, advising and assisting.
The Afghans committed to set priorities on strengthening its economy, use international aid effectively, and "enact a series of economic reforms to crack down on corruption, spur private sector growth, and attract new investment," Clinton said.
"And we have to come with concrete steps," she told representatives of the countries and entities attending the function in Bonn. "So for example, I announced that the United States and other partners will now resume financial disbursements [of $700 million] to the Afghan Reconstruction Trust Fund."
Concerning the country's political realm, Karzai and other officials committed to proceed with "inclusive, fair, and credible presidential elections and a peaceful, democratic transfer of power in 2014," Clinton said. "And we will continue to provide support to Afghanistan's democracy, including civil society."
Afghan leaders also committed to building stronger ties within the region, the secretary of state said.
"Every neighbor has a stake in the future of Afghanistan," she said.
"We want to send a very clear message to the people of Afghanistan that as they continue to make tough decisions we will stand with them and do so in that spirit of mutual accountability," Clinton said. "Today we join nearly 100 nations in agreeing to renew and focus our shared commitment to continue investing and engaging in Afghanistan for the long term."
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said success for Afghanistan requires "effective engagement" now and in the long term.
"Over the past decade, our unity and resolve have been tested. And yet, we have persevered, together, on behalf of the Afghan people," Ban said. "That road that started in Bonn brings us back once again."
As Afghanistan assumes full responsibility for its security, the government and its international partners must shift their focus to the non-military aspects of transition, such as development, governance and extending effective civilian authority throughout Afghanistan, Ban said.
"There are no easy solutions," he said. "The trust and confidence of the Afghan people will be won by fighting corruption, tackling the drug trade, sustaining the rule of law and progress on human rights, ensuring women rights, and advancing social and economic development."
