News (Consolidated) - UNSOM

KABUL - To review preparations one month ahead of a major international conference on Afghanistan, diplomats, international organizations, civil society and the private sector met today at the Presidential Palace with senior leaders of the Afghan Government. The meeting, a special session of the…

SHARANA - Empowering women means their involvement in decision-making in the community, according participants at a UN-backed debate in the south-east province of Paktika. More than 30 people took part in the panel-led discussion – organized jointly by the regional office of the UN Assistance…

HERAT - An Afghan student took both Best Film and Best Director awards at Herat’s first ever film festival on the effects of armed conflict on children, held over the weekend in Herat city, the capital of western Herat province. Around 220 film aficionados, critics and partners attended the one-day…

ASADABAD - The significance of the democratic process in Afghan society was discussed at a UN-backed TV debate in Asadabad, the capital of eastern Kunar province. A five-member panel -- including representatives of civil society and electoral bodies, along with women’s rights activists -- took part…

BAMYAN - An agreement to establish district-level civil society networks to promote improved transparency and accountability in local governance was the key outcome of a UN-backed workshop in central Bamyan’s Panjab district. Close to 50 civil society representatives, along with local officials from…

KABUL - As Afghans prepare to mark the holy occasion of Eid-ul-Adha, UN envoy Tadamichi Yamamoto wishes all Afghans a peaceful and joyous celebration. “Eid-ul-Adha is a time of peace, which Afghans richly deserve,” said Mr. Yamamoto, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of the UN…

KANDAHAR - Access to justice and the rights of defendants are key elements of rule of law, said panellists at a UN-backed TV debate in the southern city of Kandahar. A four-member panel -- involving a judge, a lawyer, the head of the city’s criminal branch and a representative of a law-focused NGO -…

NEW YORK - It is imperative that avenues for peace be explored with the utmost urgency and seriousness, as conflict diverts resources that would be better spent on developing Afghanistan and helping its people, said Tadamichi Yamamoto, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for…

NEW YORK - Media stakeout following the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Tadamichi Yamamoto's briefing to the Security Council. TRANSCRIPT MEDIA STAKEOUT FOLLOWING SRSG TADAMICHI YAMAMOTO’S BRIEFING TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL New York – 14 September 2016 (near verbatim…

NEW YORK - At the 7771st meeting of the Security Council, held on 14 September 2016, in connection with the Council’s consideration of the item entitled “The situation in Afghanistan”, the President of the Security Council made the following statement on behalf of the Council: “The Security Council…

MAZAR-E-SHARIF - To help activists leverage the UN Human Rights System, an international human rights booklet was officially launched in Dari and Pashto at a UN-backed event in Mazar-e-Sharif, northern Balkh province. The one-day regional event -- involving 22 civil society and human rights…

ASADABAD - The vital role of provincial councils in promoting transparency and accountability in local government was stressed at a UN-backed TV debate in Asadabad, the provincial capital of eastern Kunar province. A four-member panel -- including the head of the Kunar provincial council along with…