Afghanistan Peace CampaignPrior to 2021, these dues were paid by the former Afghan government. Afghanistan’s outstanding debt has now exceeded $900,000.
Although nearly five years have passed since the Islamic Emirate returned to power in Afghanistan, the fate of the country’s permanent seat at the United Nations and its voting rights remain shrouded in uncertainty.
Afghanistan has been deprived of its voting rights in the United Nations General Assembly for nearly five years due to its failure to pay annual membership dues amounting to $200,000.
Prior to 2021, these dues were paid by the former Afghan government. Afghanistan’s outstanding debt has now exceeded $900,000.
Abdul Sadiq Hamidzoy, a political analyst, said: “Afghanistan holds an important geopolitical position in the region and should be able to exercise its voting rights. However, due to certain considerations and political rivalries, it has been deprived of this right, which is a great injustice to the Afghan people.”
Afghanistan’s permanent seat at the United Nations has not yet been assigned to the current authorities through the UN’s formal process, which is overseen by the Credentials Committee.
Officials of the Islamic Emirate have previously insisted that transferring Afghanistan’s UN seat to the Islamic Emirate is the legitimate right of the Afghan people.
Commenting on the issue, political analyst Sayed Akbar Agha said: “Whoever represents Afghanistan at the United Nations should be appointed by the Afghan government and maintain ties with it. In my view, anyone who is not connected to the Afghan government cannot represent Afghanistan and is not Afghanistan’s representative.”
Sayed Bilal Fatemi, an international relations analyst, also said: “When you are present there, you can express your views to all UN member states and maintain diplomatic relations. More importantly, when meetings are held on Afghanistan or international issues, you have the opportunity to present your position.”
The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly is scheduled to begin on September 8 this year at UN headquarters in New York. The annual gathering brings together world leaders, senior government officials, and diplomats to discuss major global challenges and developments. However, it remains unclear whether a representative of the Islamic Emirate will be invited to attend the session.