Attachments
SC/11936
7467th Meeting (AM)
Security Council
Meetings Coverage
The progress Afghanistan had recently made in the interrelated economic, security and political areas should neither be undervalued nor breed complacency, the top United Nations official in that country told the Security Council today, urging the international community to work towards lasting peace and reconciliation by facilitating direct talks between the Government and armed groups.
Failure in any of those three areas would have consequences for the overall success of the Afghan transition, Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), said in his quarterly briefing to the 15-member body. The country continued to need the support of the international community and the sustained attention of the Council, he stressed.
The economic contraction that followed the withdrawal of international military forces presented a continued challenge to the Government to meet the fiscal gap and the Government was meeting and exceeding revenue targets, Mr. Haysom said. “At this time of continued low economic growth, we must also guard against the danger of an increasing shift to the illicit economy, particularly so in the case of the burgeoning narcotics production.”
The Afghan National Security Forces had been stretched as they took on full security responsibilities. There had been an intensification of conflict across the country, including in areas previously considered to be safe. Today there was a failed attack on Parliament as it was about to review the nomination for Defence Minister. While the Afghan Forces faced operational challenges, their commitment was beyond question and they demonstrated resilience in the face of efforts by insurgents to take and hold ground.
Foreign fighters from Afghanistan’s northern neighbours and elsewhere presented a particular challenge, he said, adding that there was considerable concern that Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/ISIS) was seeking to establish a foothold. That demanded greater regional involvement and collaboration to address that shared threat. The most tragic index of the intensification of conflict was the toll on civilians, with 4,216 killed or injured so far this year.
On the political front, there had been modest progress, with all members of the Cabinet having been appointed. After long delays the Government had committed to appoint the Electoral Reform Commission within a week and the term of office of the lower house of the National Assembly was extended until elections could be held. It was now time for a surge in delivery of public services and fulfilment of election promises and implementation of the reforms set out in London and as promised in the ministerial 100-day action plans. The intensification of the conflict was eroding the atmosphere for constructive negotiations, and the international community and Afghanistan’s neighbours should help towards beginning direct peace and reconciliation talks between the Government and armed groups.
Regarding the request by the Council that the Secretary-General initiate an examination of the rule, structure and activities of all United Nations entities in Afghanistan, he said, the Mission had agreed with the Government to establish a commission. That body would be comprised of representatives of the Government, international donor community, and UNAMA and affiliated agencies, funds and programmes. He anticipated having a report ready for the Council by the time of its September meeting on Afghanistan.
In the ensuing debate, speakers condemned today’s Taliban attack on Parliament and expressed concern at the intensification of the conflict and civilian casualties.
For the first time, security forces had moved from a defensive to an offensive position and had shown their ability to protect the people and help maintain the stability of the region, Zahir Tanin, representative of Afghanistan, said. Government efforts, he said, were guided by a strong commitment to advance the rights of all Afghan people, particularly women.
The representative of the United States said determined leadership would be vital to achieving the country’s vital reform agenda, adding that although the daily headlines were dispiriting, there was inspiring and incremental progress on the ground.
Insurgent groups must not be allowed to exploit the situation created by the withdrawal of international security forces to change the balance of security in the region, the representative of the Russian Federation said.
Describing security in Afghanistan as tantamount to security along its own borders, the representative of Iran said UNAMA should be further strengthened in view of its unique role and multifaceted functions relating to the important political and socioeconomic challenges facing that country.
The representative of Pakistan affirmed enhanced engagement between her country and Afghanistan based on the principles of non-interference, preventing the use of territory to attack the other and treatment of each other’s enemies as common ones.
India’s delegate said his country would continue to support a truly Afghan-led and –owned reconciliation process and stressed the importance of enhancing that country’s economic connectivity to markets in the region.
Also making statements today were the representatives of Spain, China, Chad, Nigeria, New Zealand, France, Angola, United Kingdom, Venezuela, Lithuania, Chile, Jordan, Malaysia, Sweden, Japan, Turkey, Germany, Australia, Netherlands and Canada. The Head of the European Union Delegation also spoke.
The meeting began at 10:05 a.m. and ended at 1:14 p.m.