Statement by Deborah Lyons on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr
KABUL - I warmly extend Eid Mubarak wishes to all Afghans on behalf of the United Nations in Afghanistan. We share your hopes for an Eid free of conflict so every family can celebrate this special and important time in peace. At this moment of reflection and tolerance, we stand together with all…
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UN envoy discusses peace efforts and regional situation in Kandahar
KANDAHAR - The Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in Afghanistan, Mette Knudsen, visited Kandahar this week to assess the situation in the region, discuss peace efforts and humanitarian assistance work. Knudsen, who also heads UNAMA’s political pillar, met with…
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Grassroots efforts for Afghan peace continue
KABUL - For many communities across Afghanistan, peace efforts are as much about their grassroots initiatives as they are about high-level negotiations. With support to peace efforts laying at the heart of UNAMA’s work, the Mission looks to back both top-level and community approaches. Across the…
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Access to Information promoted in northern Afghanistan
MAZAR-E-SHARIF/KUNDUZ – As part of the UN’s longstanding work to support media freedom and open society, a series of events promoting Access to Information are being conducted in northern Afghanistan with leading Afghan human rights, media safety organizations, local government and journalists. The…
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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 current major trends adversely impacting the country —politics, security, the peace process, the economy, the humanitarian…
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Helping protect children’s rights in Southeastern Afghanistan
GARDEZ - To help safeguard children’s rights amid conflict and the COVID pandemic, radio stations in the southeast have been broadcasting a series of programmes backed by UNAMA that involve communities in raising awareness around the issue. The programmes bring together a broad range of local voices…
DSRSG Knudsen remarks at Central Asia Ministerial Meeting on “The Afghan Peace Process and impact of withdrawal of International Forces"
I welcome today’s ministerial level meeting on Afghanistan, as a clear signal of the sense of urgency that the region feels in light of the rapidly developing situation across Afghanistan. As the Head of UNAMA, Special Representative of the Secretary-General Deborah Lyons stated before the United…
The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security - Report of the Secretary-General (A/75/926–S/2021/570)
I. Introduction 1. The present report is submitted pursuant to General Assembly resolution 68/11 and Security Council resolution 2543 (2020), in which the Secretary-General was requested to report every three months on developments in Afghanistan. 2. The report provides an update on the activities…
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Family leaders and access to justice are key to eliminating violence against women
MAIDAN WARDAK – Panelists at UN-backed radio programme in Maidan Wardak province discussed the importance of family leaders and women’s access to formal justice in combating violence against women and protecting their rights. Participants identified insecurity, harmful practices or traditions, lack…
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Ulemas, youth and women united in peace efforts
URUZGAN and ZABUL – Ulemas, women and youth representatives came together to speak with one voice in support of peace efforts in a series of UN-sponsored radio programmes broadcast in the southern provinces of Uruzgan and Zabul. “Youth participation is very important in the peace process because…
Mounting concern about reports of human rights abuses in communities most affected by military offensive
KABUL – The United Nations in Afghanistan is increasingly concerned with the number of reported serious human rights abuses and violations alleged in communities most affected by the ongoing military offensive across the country. The reports of killing, ill-treatment, persecution and discrimination…
Note to Correspondents on the joint declaration by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban
NEW YORK - In response to questions, the Spokesperson said The Secretary-General is encouraged by the joint declaration by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban issued in Doha, Qatar, on Sunday agreeing to accelerate their high-level engagements in order to find a “timely and just…