The situation in Afghanistan - Security Council, 10121st meeting

The 10,121st meeting of the Security Council is called to order.

The provisional agenda for this meeting is the situation in Afghanistan.

The agenda is adopted.

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of item two of the agenda.

I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S2026 99, the report of the Secretary General on the situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security.

Members of the Council have before them document S 2026 170, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by China.

The Council is ready to proceed to the vote of the draft resolution before I shall put the draft resolution to the vote Now.

Will those in favor of the draft resolution contained in document S2026 170 please raise their hand?

The result of the voting is as follows. The draft resolution received 15 votes in favor. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as Resolution 2818 2026.

I now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements after the vote.

I give the floor to the representative of China.

Thank you, President. The Security Council just unanimously adopted a resolution extending the mandate of Yunama for three months as the penholder. China thanks the Council members for their support and cooperation. At present, Afghanistan faces multiple challenges. It is imperative that the Afghan government and the international community maintain communication, move towards each other gradually address each other's legitimate concerns, and help Afghanistan achieve lasting stability, development and prosperity.

YANAMA plays an indispensable role in this regard. China commencement the efforts made by UNAMA and supports the mission in better fulfilling its duties and responsibilities. I would like to highlight the following points in light of the resolution. First, the resolution reaffirms strong support for the work of unama, emphasizes the critical importance of UNAMA and other UN agencies continuing to carry out their duties in Afghanistan, and calls for ensuring the safety and security and freedom of movement of the United nations and its personnel throughout Afghanistan. We called on the Afghan government to lift the ban on Afghan female UN staff members entering office premises as soon as possible and to provide the necessary facilitation for UN agencies to carry out their work in Afghanistan.

The resolution also requests the Secretary General, in consultation with Council members, to appoint a new SRSG in a timely manner. China hopes that the appointment will receive broad support from all parties, including the Afghan government, thereby injecting new momentum into international cooperation on Afghanistan. Second, the resolution reiterates serious concerns over the economic and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and emphasize the need to strengthen humanitarian assistance and support Afghanistan's development needs we call on traditional donors, particularly those countries that bear historical responsibility towards Afghanistan, to resume and increase their aid to Afghanistan as soon as possible. The resolution specifically notes the need to assist Afghanistan in restoring its banking and financial systems and to ensure that the assets of the Central bank of Afghanistan are used for the welfare of the people. We called on the relevant countries to unfreeze and return the assets of the Central bank of Afghanistan and hope that UNAMA will play a greater role in this regard.

Third, the resolution expresses grave concerns over the continued erosion of the fundamental rights of Afghan women and girls and calls for the repeal of restrictive policies to ensure that women enjoy equal rights in all areas, including education, healthcare, employment and public life. We hope that the Afghan government will act in the fundamental interests of its people, enabling Afghan women and girls to truly become beneficiaries, builders and contributors to the country's development and revitalization, thereby creating favorable conditions for Afghanistan's further integration into the international community. Fourth, the the resolution emphasize that terrorist organizations operating in Afghanistan remain a threat to international peace and security and that Afghan territory must not be used to harbor or support any form of terrorist activity. We urge the Afghan government to take more resolute and forceful measures, in accordance with Council resolutions to combat all terrorist forces, including the isis, K Al Qaeda, the etim, TTP and the bla. The resolution also expresses deep concern over the continued civilian casualties caused by explosive remnants of war in Afghanistan and calls on the international community to provide greater support for mine clearance projects in Afghanistan.

President Although the Security Council did not, as in customary, extend UNAMA's mandate by one year on this occasion, this in no way implies any wavering in its support for UNAMA and the Afghan people. Considering the desire of some Council members to make appropriate adjustments to Yunama's mandate, the Council has decided to extend the mandate by three months to ensure sufficient time for serious discussions and the adoption of a responsible decision. China is willing to listen extensively to the views of all parties on this matter over the next three months and to promote consensus and agreements among Council members. At the same time, I would like to emphasize that the goal of adjusting the mandate is to strengthen, not weaken, the road of Yunama so as to better advance a political solution to the Afghanistan issue and help Afghanistan achieve stability and development. China stands ready to work with all parties to make active effort towards this end.

I thank you.

I thank the representative of China. I give the floor to the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I have the honor of delivering this statement on behalf of the A3, namely Liberia, Somalia and my own country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The A3 voted in favor of the resolution renewing the UNAMA mandate. We commend the constructive spirit that prevailed among Council members throughout negotiations and we commend the co penholders on their efforts to facilitate consensus. We are talking about a three month renewal.

However, the A3 eagerly awaits the complete renewal of UNAMA's mandate next June. The renewal of UNAMA's mandate reflects the continued commitment of the Council to supporting the Afghan people and to overcoming the humanitarian, economic and security challenges that the country is facing. These are complex in nature. The A3 reiterates their support for the essential role played by UNAMA as well as for its continued presence on the ground. The Mission remains an important platform for the coordination of international engagement and assistance, as well as to support efforts aimed at promoting stability and sustainable development in Afghanistan.

The A3 recognized the importance of compliance with fundamental rights and freedoms of all Afghan people, including those of women and girls. These must be upheld. Their full, equal and meaningful participation in society will make it possible to guarantee long term stability and development in Afghanistan. We also emphasize the need to ensure that UNAMA is in a position to fully discharge its mandate, effectively, namely by guaranteeing safe, safe and unfettered access for UN personnel and their partners. In conclusion, we reaffirm our commitment to working alongside Security Council members and international partners to support efforts to promote peace, security, stability and development in Afghanistan.

I thank you.

I thank the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I give the floor to the representative of the Russian Federation.

Mr. President, the Russian Federation voted in favor of the Security Council resolution extending the mandate of Yunama for a three month period. We welcome the efforts undertaken by the Chinese penholders on the Afghan dossier with a view to finding compromise based ways forward. The outcome is a collective product stressing support for the Afghan people in building a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan free from terrorism and narcotic drugs. The main thing is UNAMA's mandate remains unchanged, which will allow the Mission to continue its activities in Afghanistan in full, in particular against the backdrop of a tense environment in the region. Having said that, we believe that UNAMA will pay equal attention to implementing its political and its humanitarian economic tasks.

We're delighted that this time around the text reflects elements geared towards the economic development of Afghanistan which should lay the foundation for the self reliance of the Afghan State.

We'd like to in particular emphasize the fact that the resolution includes call for the Secretary General to appoint a new head of UNAMA in a timely fashion. In our view, when looking for the best candidate, the SG should consult not only Security Council members, but also factor in the opinion of the Afghan authorities themselves. At the end of the day, the effective implementation of UNAMA's mission will hinge on the consent of said authorities. Mr. President, today's decision taken by the Security Council is not only an expression of our support for UNAMA, but sends a clear signal to the people of Afghanistan as regards the international community's commitment to establishing peace and stability in this long suffering country. Having said that, we believe we need a predictable operation that is predictable work by unamo.

The imperative was and is ongoing pragmatic cooperation of the mission with the Afghan authorities so as to discuss all issues in strict compliance with the tasks assigned to the mission. What's of priority importance is the ability of UNAMA to discharge its humanitarian assistance coordination duties, helping the groups most in need first and foremost. This is particularly important given the fact that the issue of frozen assets hasn't been resolved, nor has that of the unprecedented unilateral sanctions. We stand convinced that long term peace in Afghanistan is impossible unless we have a realistic approach aimed at subsequent international reintegration of Afghanistan. The basis of such reintegration is an objective and carefully calibrated assessment as well as patient dialogue with the Afghan authorities.

There is no alternative to this path, nor has there ever been. This is what UNAMA successfully implementing the tasks assigned to it depends on. I thank you.

I thank the representative of the Russian Federation. I give the floor to the representative of Pakistan.

Thank you, Mr. President. Pakistan has voted in favor of the resolution just adopted extending UNAMA's mandate by three months. Pakistan supports UNAMA in promoting peace, security and stability in Afghanistan which confronts multiple challenges, particularly the increasing threat of terrorism, human rights violations, narcotics trafficking and diminishing humanitarian aid.

We commend China for its sterling role as penholder and for its sincere efforts to forge consensus by taking on board the concern of all Council members. We welcome the unanimous adoption of this resolution, Mr. President. Pakistan has consistently asserted that the foremost amongst the challenges faced in Afghanistan is the deteriorating security situation. An exponential rise in the threat of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan. Elements within the Taliban regime are actively collaborating, let alone providing a permissive environment to several terrorist groups such as the ttp, BLA and Majid Brigade, isil, K, Al Qaeda and etim operating with impunity inside Afghanistan and responsible for for cross border attacks against Pakistani civilians and law enforcement personnel targeting critical infrastructure and public places.

Through this resolution The Council has expressed serious concern over the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan, which, I quote, continue to constitute a threat to international peace and security. It has called on the Taliban, I quote, to take active, immediate, demonstrable, and concrete measures to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, wherever and by whomever committed. Through this resolution, the Council also outlines its expectations to strengthen the safe and secure management of weapons and ammunition to prevent their diversion to terrorist groups. President as mandated, UNAMA has a responsibility to effectively monitor and analyze the security dynamics across the country that include a better understanding of the illicit economy, supporting efforts to prevent and address the illicit trade and destabilizing accumulation of small arms and light weapons and their diversion in Afghanistan and the region, and supporting efforts to create conditions conducive to the reintegration of refugee population in Afghanistan. We must also remain cautious of disinformation advanced by local Taliban elements who continue to create obstacles for access to UNAMA personnel across the country.

At the same time, we hope UNAMA will report objectively about the security developments on ground by taking into account the legitimate security concerns and expectations of Afghanistan's immediate neighbors who are faced with serious threats from Afghan soil. Finally, we Hope the next three months will allow us to review UNAMA's role in Afghanistan in a manner that will help us achieve the long term goals of peace and stability in Afghanistan that is at peace with itself and its neighbors. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Pakistan. I give the floor to the representative of Bahrain.

Mr. President, at the outset, the Kingdom of Bahrain would like to thank China as the penholder for their efforts to prepare the draft resolution on renewing the mandate of Yunama.

And we thank them for consulting with the members of the Council to reach a consensual draft that would guarantee the continuation of the work of UNAMA. Mr. President, the kingdom of Bahrain voted in favor of. Of this resolution to renew the mandate for three additional months because we believe it's important for UNAMA to continue to carry out its functions during this period and given how important its role is in coordinating international efforts when it comes to Afghanistan and to support response to developments at the political and security and economic levels in the country. The Kingdom of Bahrain believes that this renewal will allow the members of the Security Council to strengthen their support to UNAMA so that we can support its work and enable it to carry out its functions effectively, so that it can continue to support the Afghan people and meet their basic needs in a way that would guarantee the implementation of its mandate in an effective manner. The Kingdom of Bahrain stresses the need to continue with our international efforts in order to support security and stability in Afghanistan in a way that maintains its sovereignty, territorial integrity and meets the aspiration of the Afghan people.

I thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of Bahrain for the statement. I give the floor to the representative of France.

Mr. President. France welcomes the three month extension of the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. Unamah. We thank China for its work to facilitate this adoption. France reiterates its full support for unama.

The Mission's work on the ground in service of the Afghan people is of crucial importance in accordance with the mandate that the Council has entrusted to the mission. The mission guarantees coordination and delivery of humanitarian and aid throughout the country. The mission is responsible for facilitating political dialogue between all Afghan stakeholders and for protecting and promoting human rights. Since taking power by force almost five years ago, the Taliban have violated their international obligations and imposed a policy of systematic persecution of women and girls. Against this backdrop, the UNAMA must continue the implementation of its mandate in its entirety.

All the facets thereof. This Council cannot abandon the Afghan people. Mr. President, our commitment must continue to guarantee compliance with the resolution setting forth the international community's demands where the Taliban are concerned. We hope that the discussions which will be held over the next three months will allow this Council to reach consensus regarding the lasting renewal of the missions mandate. We owe just that to the Afghan people.

Thank you.

I thank the representative of France for the statement. I give the floor to the representative of latvia.

Thank you, Mr. President. We thank the penholder China for their dedicated and constructive approach to ensuring that this important mandate continues. Let me also take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the staff of unama. Their dedication and hard work are invaluable and should not be taken for granted. Let me fully support the renewal of UNAMA's mandate and voted in favor of its extension for three months.

Although our strong preference was to extend the existing mandate for one year. The current human rights mandate of UNAMA is comprehensive and robust. We especially value the role of UNAMA in defending women's and girls rights and engagement with afghan women's organizations. UNAMA's work in monitoring and reporting on human rights violations, including on violations and abuses against children, is crucial at a time when women and girls have lost almost all of their basic rights and freedoms since the Taliban took control. Judicially sanctioned corporal punishment, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearance, torture, attacks on the media and civil society, and discrimination of ethnic and religious minorities.

Only some of the widespread abuses carried out under Taliban rule. UNAMA is also uniquely positioned as the main UN actor, providing outreach and political good offices on the ground and facilitating dialogue between all relevant Afghan political actors and stakeholders. Its role in coordinating and facilitating humanitarian assistance is essential, as is the promotion of responsible governance and the rule of law. Latvia has no doubt a continued strong UN field presence in Afghanistan is vital. The coming three months will allow the Council to thoroughly reassess the mandate of the mission.

But let us be absolutely clear, we remain committed to ensuring that UNAMA has a strong, credible and robust mandate. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Latvia for the statement. I give the floor to the representative of Greece.

Thank you, Mr. President. Greece welcomes the adoption of this resolution and thanks the penholder China for their work. Greece voted in favor of the resolution reiterating our unwavering support to UNAMA and its mandate in its entirety.

In this regard, we echo the support for the swift appointment of a new special representative of the Secretary General to head UNAMA. Mr. President, Greece appreciates UNAMA's invaluable contribution to the coordination of humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan, the promotion of human rights and the rule of law, as well as the good offices it provides to facilitate dialogue between the international community and the Taliban. Unama's role is particularly important given the violations of human rights in Afghanistan, especially women's rights, culminating in the ban on education for girls beyond the sixth grade and the ban on Afghan women UN employees for accessing UN premises. Greece reiterates its condemnation of these practices and calls on the Taliban to immediately reverse them. At the same time, the present mandate highlights the importance of concrete measures and strengthened efforts that that the Taliban need to undertake immediately to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

The need for disaster risk reduction to address the impacts of natural disasters such as floods, droughts and heat waves and the frequent level of civilian casualties, particularly children from explosive ordinance incidents, pointing to the need of supporting the Mine Action program in Afghanistan. Mr. President, we remain committed to working with our fellow Security Council members for the continuation and the retention of UNAMA's strong mandate also beyond June 2026. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Greece for the statement. I give the floor to the representative of the United Kingdom.

Thank you, President. I also extend our gratitude to China for their work as penholder on this text. Colleagues, the United Kingdom is pleased.

The Council has unanimously agreed the renewal of UNAMA's important mandate. This includes new language calling on the Taliban to reverse its latest restrictions against women and girls, including the decree on the criminal rules of courts and the ongoing ban on Afghan women accessing UN premises. We reiterate our call on the Taliban to heed this Council's collective demands. As DSRSG Gagnon set out last week, UNAMA is continuing its vital work to coordinate and facilitate humanitarian efforts, promote the rights of all Afghans, including women and girls, and advance a political pathway to help achieve an Afghanistan at peace with itself and its neighbors and meeting its international obligations. We commend unama's unwavering persistence within an increasingly complex context and in spite of the Taliban's ongoing intransitiveness.

While the Taliban's repression and restrictions on women and girls continue, the United Kingdom will remain steadfast in our support for the retention of UNAMA's important human rights functions, including, and in particular the promotion of gender equality and the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women in all levels and stages of decision making over the next three months. We look forward to working together with all Council members to agree the scope of UNAMA's future mandate and to ensure the UN's continued presence on the ground. Thank you.

I thank the representative of the United Kingdom for the statement. I give the floor to the representative of Panama.

Gracias. Thank you, Mr. President. Panama is grateful to the delegation of China for their leadership and equanimous work during the process to prepare this resolution.

Panama voted in favour of this resolution because we are of the view that the presence of the United nations in Afghanistan continues to remain paramount, particularly at this juncture and under current circumstances. With that in mind, we cannot, however, ignore the fact that the reduction of the renewal period for the mandate from one year to three months could be be wrongly interpreted as a calling into question of the missions mandate and the stability of its presence. As such, it is of the utmost importance that the Council bring the greatest possible degree of clarity to the scope and goals of any renewal of the mandate considered. We must bear in mind that the opportunity to renew a mandate, it

is something that must be used to look at whether you renew a mandate for one year or three months. What we've just done could sow uncertainty among the mission personnel. They undertake their work in conditions that are already highly complex. The Council has decided to leave room for mandate renewal. However, this discussion must be conducted in lucid terms and within a reasonable time frame.

It is fundamental that we define without delay the elements which we're looking to review in any review, so that we reduce uncertainty and so that we preserve the mission's capacity to operate in a regional context which is increasingly fragile and facing persistent challenges related to terrorism, the humanitarian crisis and the human rights situation, particularly that of women and girls. The work of UN remains of vital importance that as such, we reiterate our appeal to the Taliban to lift the restrictions which prevent Afghan women from working in the premises of the United Nations. This is a measure which is incompatible with the organization and one which stymies the Mission's ability to discharge its mandate. The mission plays a vital role not only in terms of facilitating political dialogue with the de facto authorities, but also in terms of ensuring that the international community remains duly informed regarding the evolution of the situation in the country. We hope that the appointment of the new Special Representative of the Secretary General will occur forthwith so that we can offer the Mission the capacity it requires to continue its work.

The United nations cannot afford the luxury of losing the few windows that exist to make progress across the three pillars of the organized work, international peace and security, human rights and development. Panama fully supports the efforts taken to modernize the Council's work and indeed that of the United nations system. However, any review must be rooted in reality on the ground, particularly in a context which is as challenging as that in Afghanistan. President, the world outside of this chamber is moving forward at breakneck speed. We need to adapt to that very fact.

However, respect for the organization's fundamental principles must remain non negotiable. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Panama for the statement. I give the floor to the representative of denmark.

Thank you, Mr. President.

We also thank the Pentola China for their efforts. Denmark voted in favor of today's resolution to renew the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan and ensure its continued presence on the ground. Afghanistan continues to confront a profound humanitarian and human rights crisis, with women and girls, minorities and other vulnerable groups bearing the heaviest burden. In this challenging context, UNAMA remains indispensable. Its mandate is essential for providing information and analysis about the situation in Afghanistan, for maintaining dialogue with the Taliban, and for coordinating international efforts, including humanitarian assistance and human rights monitoring, reporting and advocacy.

Denmark commends UNAMA's vital work in monitoring and reporting on human rights violations, not the least those targeting women and girls. Nowhere is this work more necessary than in Afghanistan, where women and girls continue to be systematically deprived of their most fundamental rights. Denmark therefore welcomes that. The resolution includes updates on recent developments such as the continued ban of Afghan female UN staff and the Decree on the Criminal Rules of Courts. The message is the Taliban must immediately reverse all policies that restrict women from exercising their fundamental rights, including access to education, employment, health care, justice and participation in society.

They must also allow UN female staff to return to the workplaces. The UN must be able to carry out its mandate without constraints and benefit from the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in its work. While Denmark would have preferred a longer renewal to provide greater predictability for the mission and its staff, this extension nevertheless demonstrates the Council continued commitment to the Afghan people and to UNAMA's presence in Afghanistan. Looking ahead, it's vital that UNAMA will continue to receive the full and unified support of the Security Council, together with a mandate that enables it to operate effectively, engage all relevant actors, monitor and report on human rights, and assist international efforts to address the urgent needs of the Afghan people. We look forward to working constructively with the Council members on this end.

Thank you.

I thank the representative of Denmark for the statement. I give the floor to the representative of Colombia.

Gracias. Thank you, Mr. President. Allow me to begin by thanking China as penholder for the way that they steered the negotiations and for presenting a balance text, a text which made it possible to garner consensus around the extension of the missions mandate, that is the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, unama.

My delegation notes with regret that the mandate's extension was not for 12 months. That was the preference of the majority of Council members. Colombia remains ready and willing to constructively discuss over the coming months the tasks entrusted to unama. By way of reinforcing our commitment to the mission's work that seeks to heed the needs of the Afghan people, we'd like to point particularly to the role UNAMA plays in terms of facilitating dialogue and its good offices. It monitors and promotes human rights, it promotes resilience and economic stability, and we note its support for the coordination of humanitarian assistance.

We are gravely concerned yet again at the human rights situation in Afghanistan, particularly in view of the systematic restrictions that continue to affect women and girls. The exclusion of women from public life, education and employment are grave violations of their fundamental rights, and these restrictions undermine the foundations of a just and inclusive society. The persistence of gender based violence fuels cycles of violence and marginalization. It limits the full participation of women in social, economic and political life in Afghanistan and impedes efforts to build a lasting peace and to strengthen social cohesion. Precisely for these reasons, it is vital that UNAMA continue to fully discharge its mandate, including the monitoring and promotion of human rights and the support for efforts aimed to ensure inclusive governance.

Finally, by way of conclusion, we wish to underscore the pivotal coordination work, more specifically the work the Mission does to coordinate humanitarian assistance. The growing humanitarian needs of the Afghan people lay bare the urgent need to continue advocating for financing commensurate with the population's current needs. Colombia reiterates its support for the continuation of UNAMA's work and the continuation of the work of the UN system more broadly in Afghanistan. That work is vital to support the Afghan people in the face of the multidimensional crises besetting the country. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank the representative of Colombia for the statement. I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of the United States States. United States expresses appreciation to the penholder and our other fellow Council members for their constructive dialogue in renewing this mandate. Colleagues, as we heard from unama's leadership last week, the Taliban continues to prevent Afghan female staff from entering UN premises across the country. This and other constraints impede UNAMAS ability to address the humanitarian and economic crisis that the Taliban's own policies continue to inflict on the people of Afghanistan.

By extending UNAMA's mandate for three months today, this Council has the opportunity to ensure that UNAMA will be fit for purpose, including giving due consideration to the funds we collectively provide for this mission's budget. We recognize that unama's dedicated staff is doing important work under difficult and often dangerous conditions. This includes unama's valuable reporting which informs this Council's decisions on Afghanistan, as well as its efforts to help address the widespread humanitarian crisis and promote peace through dialogue. We look forward to working with other Council members between now and June 17th to find ways to streamline this mission's mandate, remove functions that duplicate other efforts or that cannot be carried out in the current environment, and ensure that UNAMA is mandated to carry out activities that contribute directly to to advancing peace and security in Afghanistan and the region. I thank you.

I resume my function as President of the Council.

There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers.

The meeting is adjourned.