Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was speaking to reporters in dohaQatar, after convening an international meeting of special envoys on Afghanistan.
they said they had Agree on the need for an “engagement strategy” With the Taliban, to help the country’s most vulnerable.
There is no question of Taliban recognition
Mr. Guterres clarified that the gathering was not focused on recognition of de facto authorities, but on developing a common, international approach to burning issues such as counter-terrorism, crackdown on human rights and the spread of drug trafficking.
“To achieve our objectives, we can’t be apart“, he said. “Many called for engagement to be more effective and based on the lessons we have learned from the past. The UN continues to use its cohesive power to advance a forward-looking approach will keep, which puts the afghan people firstAnd in a way that complements existing regional forums and initiatives.”
The UN chief said the current ban imposed last month on Afghan women working for the UN by Taliban leaders – after banning them from working for national and international NGOs – is “unacceptable and puts lives at risk”. Is.
“Let me be absolutely clear: We will never remain silent in the face of unprecedented, systemic attacks on the rights of women and girls. We will always speak out when millions of women and girls are being silenced and lost sight of,
collective interest
He said the envoys, who included the UN special envoy, Roza Otunbayeva, had agreed that “it is important to understand each other’s concerns and limitations, but agreed that it To work together, for the benefit of all, for Afghans first,
They agreed on the need for an “engagement strategy that allows for the stabilization of Afghanistan”. but also allows to address important concerns,
While different countries placed different priorities on human rights, terrorism, or drug trafficking, “there is a general recognition that they are interrelated”, and need to be viewed holistically.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres briefs journalists on the situation in Afghanistan in Doha, Qatar.
world’s biggest humanitarian crisis
He ended speaking in his capacity as Secretary-General, saying that “It’s hard to underestimate the seriousness of the situation In Afghanistan. This is the biggest humanitarian crisis in the world today.”
a staggering 97 percent live in povertyWhile 28 million Afghans are in need of some form of humanitarian assistance.
Funding is not forthcoming with a $4.6 billion humanitarian response plan, having received “just $294 million” so far.
The vast majority of UN personnel providing life-saving aid are Afghan nationals, she stressed, stressing that banning female workers “intentionally undermines the development of a country that is determined to achieve lasting peace and contribute to regional stability”. Everyone’s contribution is desperately needed.”
stay and deliver
He pledged that the United Nations will never back down from its commitment to support the Afghan people, and that the organization is committed to maintaining this fragile lifeline.
During the last decades, we persevered, and we delivered. And we are determined to seek the necessary conditions to continue delivering.
Asked if there was a situation when he would meet Taliban leaders, Mr. Guterres said that although today was not the right time, he would “do not explicitly rule out that possibility,
He added that he was personally engaged in convening a follow-up meeting of the envoys at a future date.
