During a two-day conference with regional and national special envoys for Afghanistan, António Guterres addressed the media and shared that all attendees were in agreement about the necessary actions, despite the absence of the Taliban.

“We desire for Afghanistan to be a nation of peace, both within itself and with its neighboring countries. We also hope for Afghanistan to be able to fulfill its responsibilities and international duties as a sovereign country. This includes its relationships with the global community, neighboring nations, and the protection of its own citizens’ rights,” he stated.

He also mentioned that there was agreement on the method for achieving this goal, and highlighted suggestions presented in a separate evaluation of a unified and organized strategy conducted by Feridun Sinirlioğlu, in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2679.

Key concerns

According to Mr. Guterres, the discussions addressed critical issues such as preventing Afghanistan from becoming a hub for terrorism and promoting a truly inclusive government that represents all of its diverse groups.

The evaluation highlights the significance of protecting human rights, specifically for females and young females, and an acknowledgement of advancements in tackling drug manufacturing and distribution.

The leader of the UN also emphasized the importance of providing efficient aid to the nation and addressing long-term concerns about Afghanistan’s future growth.

Mr. Guterres also mentioned the continued collaboration between Afghanistan and its neighboring countries, including economic trade and infrastructure improvement, as well as agreements to combat the illegal drug trade.

United Nations

The media in Doha, Qatar receives a speech from UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Key questions

However, he mentioned that there are a group of essential inquiries that we are unable to move forward on.

According to him, Afghanistan still has a government that is not acknowledged by the international community and lacks integration into global institutions and the global economy in various ways.

Moreover, there is a widespread global belief that human rights are declining, especially for females.

“We are faced with a chicken and egg dilemma,” he explained, emphasizing the importance of finding a solution that satisfies both international concerns and those of the de facto authorities. This will require breaking the stalemate and creating a shared plan of action.

Unacceptable pre-conditions

The UN Secretary-General addressed a question from a correspondent about the Taliban’s lack of involvement by stating that the group had presented a list of requirements for their participation that were deemed unacceptable.

“We were initially prohibited from engaging with other members of Afghan society and were expected to adhere to strict guidelines that could be equated to seeking recognition.”

During a separate inquiry, Mr. Guterres expressed that the gathering was highly beneficial and the conversations were “absolutely necessary.”

“It would have been beneficial if we were able to discuss our conclusions with the de facto authorities after the meeting. Unfortunately, that did not occur today but will take place in the near future.”

Source: news.un.org