Afghanistan Peace CampaignFollowing the official ban on poppy cultivation by the interim government, the level of cultivation has significantly decreased.
The third meeting of the Counter-Narcotics Working Group and the second meeting of the Private Sector Working Group were held today (Monday, 30 June) in Doha, the capital of Qatar.
Representatives from the Islamic Emirate, various countries, and international organizations attended the meeting. The goal of these discussions is to find solutions to mitigate the negative impacts of the poppy cultivation ban and to support Afghanistan’s economy.
Political analyst Saleem Paigir stated: “I wish all the decisions made during the third Doha meeting would be implemented; however, the topics addressed today are a promising start for the Afghan people. We can count on the international community and the United Nations to fulfill the commitments they make to the people of Afghanistan.”
Economic analyst Abdul Nasir Reshtia said: “The stronger the private sector becomes, the more employment opportunities it can create. Banking restrictions must also be lifted so that the private sector can engage effectively in international trade. Unfortunately, current restrictions have caused significant challenges.”
Following the official ban on poppy cultivation by the interim government, the level of cultivation has significantly decreased. However, new challenges have emerged, including unemployment, livelihood crises, and the expansion of illegal markets. The United Nations is now using the Doha Working Group process to address these issues.
Military affairs analyst Sadiq Shinwari said: “The decrees of the Islamic Emirate regarding the ban on poppy and narcotics must be strictly enforced. At the same time, international support for helping farmers must be considered.”
The third Doha meeting, which was held a year ago in Qatar, also focused on supporting the private sector and combating narcotics.
In the latest round of the Doha process, representatives from 25 countries, the European Union, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the United Nations are in attendance.