UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations (UN) is set to convene an international summit on Afghanistan in Doha in the coming weeks, where envoys will seek to clarify expectations on a range of issues, including Taliban restrictions on women.
Stephane Dujarric, a spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, stated that the meeting would offer an opportunity to discuss and clarify expectations on a range of issues. The UN mission in Afghanistan has initiated an assessment of its aid operations following a ban on Afghan women working for the UN.
Amina Mohammed, the UN Deputy Secretary-General, mentioned that the upcoming meeting would involve representatives from different levels, including regional and international envoys, as well as Guterres.
She also commented on the possibility of discussing the necessary small actions that could help the Taliban hard-line Islamist regime regain recognition from the international community. However, this recognition would come with certain conditions.
The Taliban’s ban on Afghan women from working for UN offices countrywide, which was implemented on April 4, sparked criticism from the West and led to a United Nations review of the world body’s Afghanistan operations.
The meeting is expected to take place around May 1 and is being held at the initiative of the UN secretary-general, according to a UN source. It is still unclear whether or not the Taliban will be represented at the talks.
UN calls for coordinated approach regarding Afghanistan
Recognition of the Taliban government is “an issue that can be only decided by the UN member states,” Dujarric said Wednesday. He stressed that the UN deputy secretary-general spoke at Princeton only about “reaffirming the need for the global community to have a coordinated approach regarding Afghanistan.”
The summit will provide an opportunity to discuss concerns about the Taliban’s restrictions on women and clarify expectations on a range of issues. The Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in August 2021 has led to uncertainty and instability in the country. The UN has been actively working to address the situation and ensure that women have their rightful place in Afghan society.
