Afghanistan Peace CampaignFor the sixth consecutive year, Afghanistan has not delivered a national address at the United Nations General Assembly.
From the 76th session of the UN General Assembly in 2021 through the 81st session this year, no one has represented Afghanistan during the speeches delivered by national leaders. The main reason for the absence has been cited as the unresolved dispute over Afghanistan’s credentials and representation.
Omar Mukhtar Nikzad, a university lecturer, said: “The main victims of this situation are the people of Afghanistan. It would be better for the international community and the Islamic Emirate to hold discussions on their respective preconditions and pave the way for Afghanistan’s reintegration into the international community. Afghanistan was among the first countries to sign the founding document of the United Nations. They should not remain indifferent to Afghanistan’s situation now.”
Following the collapse of the republic in August 2021, Afghanistan’s permanent seat at the United Nations has remained in the hands of diplomats from the former government, led by Naseer Ahmad Faiq. The UN Credentials Committee has deferred the Islamic Emirate’s request to take over the seat each year.
The formation of an inclusive government, the fight against terrorism and narcotics, and respect for human rights are among the international community’s key conditions for recognizing the legitimacy of the current government. In return, the Islamic Emirate has called for the removal of sanctions and blacklists, the release of Afghanistan’s frozen assets, and the transfer of the country’s permanent UN seat to the current government.
The two sides have so far failed to reach an agreement on these conditions.
Naqibullah Noori, a university lecturer, said: “The solution is for both the current government and the international community to show flexibility and hold talks about their respective preconditions.”
In addition, since 2024, Afghanistan has been deprived of its voting rights in the General Assembly due to unpaid membership contributions under Article 19 of the UN Charter.
According to available information, Afghanistan last paid its UN membership dues in mid-2021. Since then, its outstanding debt has been estimated at around $1.1 million. The Islamic Emirate says payment of the dues is conditional on transferring Afghanistan’s permanent UN representation to the current government.
Afghanistan signed the Charter of the United Nations on June 26, 1945, and was among the early countries to join the organization in 1946, one year after the United Nations was established.
National addresses at the UN General Assembly are usually delivered by countries’ presidents, prime ministers or foreign ministers. The last address on behalf of Afghanistan was delivered in 2020 by former President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani.