Secretary-General's statement on attack in Herat
NEW YORK - The Secretary-General strongly condemns the suicide attack earlier today against the UN compound in the western city of Herat, Afghanistan, where staff of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and other UN agencies are housed. No fatalities among the UN staff have…
Statement by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Staffan de Mistura
KABUL - The United Nations in Afghanistan condemns in the strongest terms the attack which took place today at 11:58 a.m. against the United Nations operations centre in Herat, in the west of Afghanistan. The attack did not disrupt the United Nations activities and no United Nations personnel was…
Statement of the UN Special Representative, Staffan de Mistura
KABUL - The United Nations welcomes the publication of preliminary results by the Independent Election Commission (IEC) of 18 September Wolesi Jirga elections for all 34 provinces across the country, plus the Kuchi constituency. Dari - Pashto The staff and management of the IEC have worked extremely…
UN statement on the death of development worker, Linda Norgrove
KABUL - It is with great sadness that all of us in the humanitarian and development community, and in particular those of us who worked with her in the United Nations, learnt of the death of Linda Norgrove. Dari - Pashto Her death is also a tragedy and loss to the people of Afghanistan whom she…
SRSG Staffan de Mistura on the next phase of the electoral process
KABUL - We commend the Independent Election Commission (IEC), under the leadership of Professor Fazal Ahmad Manawi, for its achievement in implementing the Wolesi Jirga elections according to the electoral timetable, and in holding the election on 18 September 2010. Dari - Pashto The IEC…
Secretary-General Ban's message on Peace Day 2010
NEW YORK - Today we observe the annual International Day of Peace — a day dedicated to ceasefire and non-violence. Dari - Pashto Peace is precious. It must be nurtured, maintained, defended. That is why, each year on the International Day of Peace, I ring the Peace Bell at United Nations…
Statement attributable to the Spokesperson on the electoral process in Afghanistan
NEW YORK - The Secretary-General commends women and men of Afghanistan for their courage and determination in exercising their democratic right to vote during the parliamentary elections that, in accordance with the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, took place today. He notes the…
Statement by the SRSG on the killing of two Afghan polling staff
KABUL - The United Nations condemns the killings of two polling staff of the Independent Election Commission (IEC) of Afghanistan yesterday, in the Charbolak district of Balk province in the north of the country. We join the Chairperson of the IEC, Professor Fazal Ahmad Manawi, in his condemnation…
UN envoy's message on Eid-ul-Fitr
KABUL - On behalf of the United Nations family in Afghanistan I share my heartfelt greetings to the Afghan people in the celebration of the religious festival of Eid-ul-Fitr. Dari and Pashto Throughout the month of Ramazan the people of Afghanistan have once again deepened the practice of their…
United Nations envoy calls for religious group to cancel threat to burn Quran
KABUL - On behalf of the United Nations and the whole international community present in Afghanistan, I would like to express in the strongest possible terms our concern and indeed outrage at the announcement by a small religious group abroad of their intention to burn copies of the holy book of the…
UN envoy's message on the occasion of the holy month of Ramazan
KABUL - Ramazan is a month of worship. Muslims are encouraged to be charitable and forgiving, and to practise goodwill towards others. In Afghanistan, Muslims continue to face challenges towards peace due to conflict and suffering. Islam is a religion of brotherhood, providing messages of peace…
UNAMA supports IEC decision reaffirming final list of polling centres
KABUL - The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) fully supports the reaffirmation today by Afghanistan’s Independent Election Commission (IEC) of its definitive decision that it will conduct the 18 September Wolesi Jirga elections based on the final list of polling centres it…