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UN envoy Lyons briefing the Security Council on the situation in Afghanistan
KABUL - The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Deborah Lyons, today briefed the Security Council on the situation in Afghanistan. Lyons highlighted the intensified peace efforts and urgent need to stop violence. She spoke about the particularly concerning trend of attacks…
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Women’s inclusion the focus of events across Afghanistan
KABUL – Calls for the increased protection of women’s rights, access to education and women’s inclusion in peace talks dominated discussions in the latest series of UN-backed events across Afghanistan. Throughout March, grassroots events involving several hundred participants were held in more than…
Friends of Afghan Women Ambassadors’ Group Statement on Afghan Women’s Right to an Influential Voice on the Future of Afghanistan
KABUL - Women are half of Afghanistan’s population and their meaningful inclusion is essential for the future of the country. Afghan women have the right to have their voices heard, full political participation, safety and security, freedom from violence and coercion, equal education and equal work…
Statement by the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Deborah Lyons, on the occasion of Ramadan
KABUL - On behalf of the United Nations family in Afghanistan I extend my warmest wishes to all Afghans as the month of Ramadan begins. At this special time of prayer and reflection, as well as compassion for the vulnerable, I hope that Ramadan will provide an opportunity for all Afghans to find…
Joint statement by co-conveners of the Istanbul Conference on the Afghanistan Peace Process
The Republic of Turkey, the State of Qatar, and the United Nations are co-convening a high level and inclusive conference from 24 April – 4 May 2021 between representatives of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban. Turkey is hosting the conference in Istanbul. The co-conveners are…
Need for violence to end in order to stop thousands of Afghan civilians being killed and injured in 2021 - UN Report
KABUL - Extraordinary levels of harm inflicted on civilians in the Afghan conflict continues unabated, with UNAMA finding that the number of civilians killed and injured during the first three months of 2021 to be significantly higher than a year ago. Released today, the Afghanistan Protection of…
Joint statement by co-conveners on postponement of Istanbul conference
KABUL - Turkey, Qatar and the United Nations had planned to co-convene a high-level conference in Istanbul, from 24 April to 4 May 2021, with the participation of the representatives of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban to add momentum to the negotiations that started in Doha last…
Joint Statement of Support for Afghan Journalists and Media
Joint statement of the missions in Afghanistan of Australia, Canada, Denmark, EU Delegation, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, USA and United Kingdom KABUL - Today we join Afghanistan in celebrating World Press Freedom Day…
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World Press Freedom Day marked in Kabul, tinged with grief for lost colleagues and concern for media sector’s future
KABUL - World Press Freedom Day was marked in Kabul today with UN envoy Deborah Lyons joining Afghan reporters, media safety committees and senior government officials in calling for improved protection for journalists and press freedom. The memory of recently killed journalists and concerns about…
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SRSG Lyons at the World Press Freedom Day 2021 ceremony
3 May 2021 - KABUL- The following is a transcript of the closing remarks of the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan, Deborah Lyons, at the World Press Freedom Day 2021 ceremony TRANSCRIPT Closing remarks delivered by the Secretary-General's Special Representative for…
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Youth want their voices heard about peace
PULI KHUMRI – Youth representatives and local leaders from Baghlan province gathered in Puli Khumri earlier this year to discuss how the voices of Afghan’s youth on peace can best be heard both in their neighborhood and on a national level. The ‘peace debate’ was organized by UNAMA in partnership…
Statement by the Secretary-General on Afghanistan
NEW YORK - The Secretary-General strongly condemns the horrific attack near a school in Kabul, Afghanistan, which killed and injured scores of civilians, including many girls. The Secretary-General expresses his deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and to the Government and people of…