Special Envoys and Representatives for Afghanistan of Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States met in Geneva on December 16, 2024 to discuss the situation in Afghanistan. Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan in the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights, Representatives of the World Bank (WB) and of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also participated in the meeting as observers.
The Special Envoys and Representatives for Afghanistan :
1. Expressed grave concern over the Taliban's decisions in December 2024 to ban women and girls from attending public and private medical training institutions ; and expressed concern that this new ban will have devastating consequences for all Afghans, especially mothers and infants – both born and unborn, both boys and girls – and will further destabilize an already fragile healthcare system.
These decisions, which come on the back of the Taliban's “Law on the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice” announced in August 2024, expand upon the already over 80 repressive, discriminatory edicts aimed at excluding Afghan women and girls from education, public and economic life. We call for the immediate reversal of these unacceptable practices and policies.
2. Noted with grave concern recent terrorist attacks in Kabul and the region, as well as the continuing threat terrorism poses to security and stability in Afghanistan ; and acknowledged the Taliban actions to tackle terrorist threats from ISIS-K, while recalling the need for the Taliban to pursue actions to tackle terrorist threats, in accordance with Resolution 2593 of the United Nations Security Council and underscoring that some terrorist groups still reside safely inside Afghanistan and are able to plan and carry-out internal and cross-border terrorist strikes.
3. Underscored that achieving long-term stability in Afghanistan requires a credible and inclusive national dialogue leading to a constitutional order with a representative and inclusive political system, as well as accountable political leaders and the State of Afghanistan meeting its international obligations.
4. Emphasized the need for implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2721 (2023), which took positive note of the UN's independent assessment prepared pursuant to UNSCR 2679 (2023), encouraged member states and all other relevant stakeholders to consider implementation of its recommendations and requested the UN Secretary General to appoint a Special Envoy for Afghanistan to take forward a process between Afghan stakeholders and the international community for long term peace and stability in Afghanistan.
5. Commended the work of the United Nations, including the UN-led Doha Process, and recognized the important and specific work of UNAMA, UN agencies present in the country, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the many international and local NGOs and other humanitarian actors that continue to support the people of Afghanistan through ongoing social and humanitarian crisis.
6. Reaffirmed that international NGOs are indispensable to humanitarian work in Afghanistan ; and reinforced the importance of a united humanitarian response that includes representation from UN agencies, international and national NGOs, and other humanitarian actors.
7. Highlighted the necessity to continue helping Afghans who are suffering in the ongoing humanitarian crisis with appropriate consideration for vulnerable populations, including women and women-led households, children and members of ethnic and religious minority communities.
8. Looked forward to deepening engagement with neighboring countries and other countries of the region on a joint response to the developing situation in Afghanistan, including countering potential threats such as terrorism and illegal migration to regional security and stability emanating from Afghanistan ; commended the efforts of Muslim-majority countries and the OIC in engaging with the Taliban on women's and girls' rights and welcomed the leadership they have demonstrated on issues such as access to education and encouraged them to continue their active engagement on these and related issues.
9. Expressed their appreciation to Switzerland for organizing these consultations and hosting the meeting ; and looked forward to this Group of Special Envoys and Representatives meeting again in the near future.