A UN Security Council delegation arrived in Kabul today to assess Afghanistan's progress in peace and rebuilding, and to underscore the importance of regional cooperation for governance, security, and development.
The delegation is being led by Ambassador Giulio Terzi of Italy and includes UN ambassadors and representatives from fourteen other countries.
Over the next three days they will meet President Karzai and Government leaders, as well as civil society and other representatives. Included on their agenda are meetings relating to security, governance, human rights, and economic and social development. They will assess the status of international pledges and commitments made by participants at the Paris Conference in support of Afghanistan, in June this year.
An additional aim of their trip is to underline the role of the United Nations in promoting peace and stability. Since 2002, UNAMA, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, has been tasked with leading the civilian efforts of the international community. The delegation will also review the humanitarian situation.
The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) also operates under a Security Council mandate.