News (Consolidated) - UNSOM

KABUL - Afghanistan’s authorities must give fresh impetus to achieving progress in combatting corruption to bolster peace and development efforts, a UN official emphasized at an Afghan civil society roundtable convened to address anti-corruption efforts on Wednesday. Speaking at the Integrity Watch…

NEW YORK - The UN’s top envoy in Afghanistan said the country now has a unique opportunity to turn the corner to a brighter, more stable future after four decades of war. Deborah Lyons told the Security Council on Thursday that even as an unprecedented global pandemic threatens to unravel many of…

NEW YORK - The Security Council held a video conference on UNAMA/Afghanistan on 25 June, 2020. The members of the Security Council were briefed by Ms Deborah Lyons, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, Ms Ghada Fathi Waly, Executive Director of UNODC, and Ms Shaharzad…

KABU L - With the prospect of peace talks starting this month between Afghan government and Taliban negotiators, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) urges parties to redouble efforts at protecting civilians from harm and de-escalating the conflict in order to save lives and create a…

KABUL - A community sensitive to signs of domestic violence is a key component to ending violence against women during the COVID-19 pandemic, said participants in a series of UNAMA-backed radio programmes broadcast across Afghanistan. In the interactive shows – which have so far aired in 20…

KABUL - The Ambassadorial Anti-Corruption Group * is deeply concerned about the slowdown in Afghanistan’s anti-corruption efforts, as documented by the recently published UNAMA annual anti-corruption report. Addressing widespread corruption is crucial for sustainable peace and prosperity in…

KABUL - Young women and men in Afghanistan have the power to build a culture of peace while preventing and resolving local disputes, even in the context of the COVID-19 crisis, said panellists in a UN-backed virtual symposium in the central province of Kabul. Participants in the online event…

KABUL - The first half of 2020 witnessed fluctuating levels of violence impacting civilians in Afghanistan, with the United Nations documenting 3,458 civilian casualties (1,282 killed and 2,176 injured), according to a new report released today. While the civilian casualty figures represent a 13 per…

A joint press statement by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland and UNAMA. KABUL - The Fourth Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) concluded today after two days of constructive discussions between the Afghanistan government and international…

NEW YORK - The Secretary-General welcomes the announcement by the Government of Afghanistan and the Taliban of a ceasefire to enable the Afghan people to celebrate the Eid al-Adha holiday in peace. The Secretary-General urges all parties concerned to seize this opportunity and embrace an Afghan-led…

KABUL - The following is a transcript of the opening remarks delivered by the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan, Deborah Lyons, at the Senior Officials Meeting. TRANSCRIPT Opening remarks by the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan, Deborah Lyons at…

NEW YORK - The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack that took place at a prison complex in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, on 3 August 2020, which resulted in at least 29 people killed, including civilians and many wounded, for which ISIL…