Afghanistan Peace CampaignChina and Russia have reiterated their calls for the international community to engage with the Islamic Emirate.
The head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has introduced a new initiative called the “Mosaic Plan” during a Security Council meeting. The primary goal of this plan is to facilitate Afghanistan’s gradual integration into the international order.
Roza Otunbayeva emphasized that the UN aims to design a framework for more cohesive, coordinated, and structured engagement that enables dialogue between the international community and the Islamic Emirate without conferring formal recognition or normalizing the current situation.
Otunbayeva stated: “The Comprehensive Approach involves working groups and a mosaic of key issues. I stress the approach does not seek to normalize the status quo, but rather ensure that multiple key issues of concern – in particular upholding the country’s international obligations – remain at the core of engagement efforts.”
Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said: “We welcome UN efforts, including the Doha process, aimed at structured engagement with the de facto authorities. Pakistan was among the first to call for sustained engagement and has proposed a broad road map for normalisation.”
China and Russia have reiterated their calls for the international community to engage with the Islamic Emirate. China’s representative urged the UN Security Council to take further steps to exempt Islamic Emirate officials from travel sanctions to facilitate interactions with the interim government.
The US representative indicated that the country’s policy toward Afghanistan is under review.
Geng Shuang, China’s representative to the United Nations, said: “The Security Council should promptly resume the general travel ban exemption for officials of the interim government of Afghanistan.”
Vassily Nebenzia, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said: “Russia supports a realistic and comprehensive approach toward Afghanistan. We have repeatedly emphasized that this approach must be based on objective analysis and balanced assessment of the situation.”
“The United States’ Afghanistan policy is currently under review. However, President Trump and Secretary Rubio have made clear that our focus in Afghanistan has narrowed. Protecting US citizens, including mitigating terrorist threats and securing the release of all detained Americans, are our top priorities in Afghanistan,” said Dorothy Shea, acting US Representative.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of UN Women, along with representatives from the United Kingdom and France, criticized the ongoing restrictions on women and girls in Afghanistan. Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, stated: “Since I briefed the Council on Afghanistan nine months ago, the reality for Afghan women and girls has only grown more dire. Not a single restriction has been reversed. Repression has become more systematic and have calcified.”
“Since our last council briefing on Afghanistan. Another school year has begun, with secondary schools and higher education remaining closed to women and girls,” said James Kariuki, Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the UN.
Qatar’s representative to the UN emphasized the importance of peace and stability in Afghanistan and announced that Qatar will host two Doha process working group meetings from June 30 to July 1, with the participation of Islamic Emirate representatives.
Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, Qatar’s representative to the UN, stated: “The State of Qatar eagerly anticipates hosting the third meeting of the Counter-Narcotics Working Group and the second meeting of the Private Sector Working Group under the UN-led Doha process on Afghanistan, scheduled from June 30 to July 1, with the participation of representatives from the interim Afghan government, countries involved in the Doha process, and technical experts.”
The UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan was held amid ongoing calls from Islamic Emirate officials for representation in such discussions.