The United Nations Security Council convened at UN Headquarters to discuss the situation in Afghanistan and explore solutions to the challenges facing the country, according to a report from the press service of the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In addition to Council members, the meeting was attended by the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Roza Otunbayeva, as well as delegations from Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, India, Pakistan, and other senior officials, The Caspian Post reports citing Kazinform.
UN representatives briefed Council members and other participants on the current situation in Afghanistan. Key points included the severe humanitarian crisis, human rights violations, particularly those affecting women and girls, and the persistent threat of terrorism.
Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the UN Kairat Umarov confirmed the country’s commitment to the UN Charter and humanitarian principles, emphasizing the importance of stabilizing Afghanistan. He noted that the coordination of UN agencies’ efforts within the framework of the “One UN” concept and the active interaction of the countries of the region will increase the effectiveness of assistance to the Afghan people. The economic sustainability of Central Asia, in turn, will become a key factor in stability in Afghanistan.
In this vein, the initiative of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to establish in Almaty a UN Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Central Asia and Afghanistan was presented.
“A week ago, on March 4 this year, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution on the establishment of the UN SDG Center for Central Asia and Afghanistan. 152 countries co-sponsored the resolution, which underlines the high significance of the initiative and broad international consensus. The initiative is aimed at strengthening the economies of the region, creating jobs, curbing the migration flow and integrating countries into regional trade networks. We are confident that over time, economic stability will pave the way for a gradual political transformation of Afghanistan, including progress in the field of women’s rights,” the Kazakh diplomat said.
UN Security Council member states, in particular Guyana, speaking on behalf of Algeria, Somalia and Sierra Leone, supported Kazakhstan’s initiative.
“We note with appreciation the adoption of the resolution on the establishment of the UN Regional Centre for SDGs for Central Asia and Afghanistan and support the development of regional cooperation using available tools to make life easier for millions of Afghans who are in dire need of support,” said the representative of Guyana.
On March 4, the UN General Assembly adopted by consensus a Kazakhstan-led resolution calling for the establishment of the UN Regional Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Center for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty, with support from 152 countries.
