The International Taste Institute of Belgium has announced that  Herat saffron has once again secured the top position globally for the ninth time, being recognized as the “most delicious” saffron.

On Tuesday, June 4th, the institute published a report stating that  Herat saffron was identified as the best saffron following laboratory tests.

The International Taste Institute, based in Belgium, annually evaluates food products from various countries worldwide based on specific criteria.

It is noteworthy that, according to this institute’s assessments, Afghanistan saffron has received the award for the best taste.

It is worth mentioning that saffron is one of Afghanistan’s most valuable industrial crops, consistently receiving the top award for best taste over the years.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation of Afghanistan, in 2023, 8,304 hectares of land in 26 provinces of the country were cultivated with saffron, yielding 23.249 metric tons of saffron, of which 22.240 metric tons were harvested from  Herat province.

Afghan saffron, also known as “red gold,” is currently exported to numerous markets in many countries, especially Arab countries, India, and China.

Afghanistan faces serious threats from climate change, and studies indicate that it is among the least prepared to combat these threats.

As the world commemorates World Environment Day, Afghanistan is grappling with the severe consequences of climate change-induced events. Most recently, deadly floods in several provinces have not only destroyed thousands of hectares of agricultural land and endangered the existing ecosystem but also claimed the lives of over 300 people.

Rosa Otunbayeva, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA stated in a video message on World Environment Day that Afghanistan’s beautiful and unique environment is under threat. She emphasized the need to restore ecosystems to prevent climate-related floods and droughts.

Officials of the de facto administration also remarked on this occasion that industrial countries play a significant role in producing greenhouse gases, which negatively impacts countries like Afghanistan.

Concerns over climate change threats to Afghanistan have increased, especially since, due to political developments in the country, Afghanistan’s seat at crucial international meetings on climate change, including the recent COP, has remained vacant.

Additionally, the recent deadly floods have exacerbated the already dire situation. The floods have not only resulted in significant loss of life but also caused extensive damage to infrastructure, displacing thousands of families.

The lack of adequate disaster preparedness and response mechanisms has further highlighted the urgent need for international assistance and support to help Afghanistan cope with the increasing frequency and severity of such natural disasters.

The devastating impact of the floods underscores Afghanistan’s vulnerability to climate change and the urgent need for comprehensive climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. The international community’s support is crucial to building resilience and ensuring sustainable development in Afghanistan amidst these environmental challenges.

The United Nations Security Council has announced that it will hold a session regarding the performance of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

On Monday, June 3, this council stated in a declaration that the session is expected to occur this month, but it did not specify the exact date.

According to the council’s statement, Roza Otonbayeva, the head of UNAMA, and a civil society representative are scheduled to speak at this session.

On the other hand, Martin Griffiths, the Deputy Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs of the United Nations, will provide information about the delivery of humanitarian aid under the Taliban administration’s control.

Meanwhile, the Doha talks have seen continued negotiations between the Taliban and representatives of various Afghan factions. There’s a growing concern over the inclusivity of these talks and whether they adequately represent the diverse interests of the Afghan population.

Moreover, neighbouring countries and international stakeholders closely monitor the third Doha talks, recognizing their potential to shape Afghanistan’s future trajectory and regional stability. Efforts to garner broader international support and involvement in the peace process remain ongoing.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), referring to the recent floods in Afghanistan, has called for increased investment to counter the threats arising from climate change, which primarily affect children.

In a report released on Monday, June 3, UNICEF stated that the humanitarian community and the United Nations must prepare to confront the new reality of natural disasters and climate change.

According to this report, floods pose an immediate and ongoing threat to children in Afghanistan. This “serious warning” necessitates that the international community expand its efforts and investments to support communities in reducing the impact of climate change on children.

The recent floods in Afghanistan, particularly in the provinces of Ghor, Baghlan, and Badakhshan, have raised concerns that Afghanistan is not prepared to handle the threats posed by climate change.

UNICEF’s report on the recent floods also indicates that nearly 350 people, including dozens of children, have lost their lives. Additionally, 7,800 residential houses have been completely or partially destroyed, and more than 5,000 families have been displaced due to the floods.

Meanwhile, the World Food Programme has announced that it will need at least $14.5 million over the next seven months to assist the victims of the recent floods in Afghanistan.

General Frank McKenzie, the former commander of the United States Central Command, criticized the consequences of the Doha Agreement, stating that Washington made its most egregious mistakes during these negotiations.

In a new interview with CBS, the former commander of the United States Central Command stated that the Doha Agreement led to “the destruction of the government in Afghanistan.”

The U.S. negotiating team, led by Zalmay Khalilzad, and the Taliban negotiating team, led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, signed the Doha Agreement in February 2020 after months of negotiation.

Following the signing of this agreement, the process of withdrawing foreign forces led by the U.S. from Afghanistan, which was part of the Doha Agreement, began and was completed by the end of August 2021, when the Taliban had taken control in Afghanistan.

Before the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan was complete, the then-Afghan government, led by Ashraf Ghani, collapsed. With the president fleeing on August 15, Taliban forces had taken control of nearly all provinces.

This process happened very quickly and sparked widespread international reactions. Many described the manner of the foreign forces’ withdrawal from Afghanistan as “disastrous” with devastating consequences, and General Frank McKenzie stated in his interview with CBS that the Doha Agreement “destroyed the government in Afghanistan.”

He also mentioned that both former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden, who oversaw the signing and implementation of this agreement, focused on the withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan.

According to the retired general, America’s egregious mistake in negotiating with the Taliban was that Washington “treated it as a timetable for the withdrawal of its forces from Afghanistan.”

In his interview, McKenzie referred to the Doha Agreement as an “operational mechanism” that led to “the destruction of the government in Afghanistan,” while, according to him, the U.S. could have achieved a better outcome.