Afghanistan Peace CampaignSpeaking to TASS News Agency, Kabulov added that the interim government of Afghanistan will participate in the meeting as a “full member.”
“The date has not yet been determined, but by tradition, we will definitely hold it [the meeting] in September-October,” Kabulov said, adding that “Afghanistan will participate in this meeting as a full member.”
According to experts, the Moscow Format meetings primarily focus on issues such as regional security, peace and stability, strengthening regional cooperation, garnering support for the Afghan people, and improving Afghanistan’s international political standing.
“The countries participating in the Moscow Format focus on security issues, peace, regional relations, and Afghanistan’s international standing, which are crucial for the country’s future,” said Najib Rahman Shamal, a political analyst.
In recent months, the Islamic Emirate has participated in several significant regional meetings such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Tehran Forum, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Russian Security Meeting. Recently, a delegation from the interim government also attended the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) meeting in Azerbaijan, which some see as evidence of the Islamic Emirate’s growing political presence in multilateral international structures—although the government is not yet formally recognized.
The Islamic Emirate stated it has participated in more than ten regional meetings in just the past seven months.
Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, said: “We have been invited to the Shanghai Organization meetings and other forums, and for the first time, a high-ranking delegation from the Islamic Emirate participated in the ECO meeting.”
Abdul Latif Nazari, Deputy Minister of Economy, stated: “The political, economic, and trade relations of the Islamic Emirate with influential regional countries are expanding. Our delegation’s participation in the Azerbaijan meeting can help strengthen these ties.”
However, the lack of official recognition of the interim government means the actual impact of these meetings on Afghanistan’s internal situation remains unclear. Economic crisis, reduced humanitarian aid, and lack of foreign investment are among the challenges that mere participation in meetings cannot solve.
“In the past four years, many meetings have been held, some with and some without the Islamic Emirate’s participation. But the core problems—sanctions, restrictions, and frozen assets—still persist with no clear solutions offered,” said Edris Mohammadi Zazai, a political analyst.
The sixth Moscow Format meeting took place in October 2024 with representatives from nine countries. Amir Khan Muttaqi, acting Foreign Minister of the Islamic Emirate, was the special guest at that round of talks. The upcoming seventh meeting is expected to pave the way for continued regional engagement on Afghanistan’s future.