Statement by the Republic of Slovenia at the UNSC meeting on the situation in Afghanistan

Thank you Madam President.

I wish to add my thanks to SRSG Otumbayeva for her briefing and to Ms. Mohammad for her remarks. I also welcome the representative of Afghanistan to the meeting.

Madam President,

The latest UNAMA report is once again a stark reminder of the many and complex challenges Afghanistan continues to face. We welcome all the activities UNAMA has undertaken in fulfilling its mandate during this period. UNAMA’s presence in Afghanistan remains crucial. We particularly stress the importance of its work on human rights, humanitarian assistance and continued political dialogue with all relevant stakeholders, including the Taliban.

Slovenia supports the renewal of UNAMA’s mandate and its full implementation. We will continue to engage constructively with other members towards this end.

Madam President,

The two working groups launched in the framework of the Doha process have now proceeded to the next stage. We welcome the Secretariat and UNAMA’s work towards a political road map with six main topics, including human rights, to facilitate a more coherent, coordinated and structured engagement between of the international community with the Taliban.

We particularly appreciate the inclusion and participation of women experts in discussions within the working groups. In the upcoming efforts on job creation and entrepreneurship, including access to finance, banking infrastructure and other key private sector issues, we expect the process to focus on delivering real, tangible results for all Afghan people and across urban and remote rural areas alike.

Madam President,

Slovenia continues to pay particular attention to the human rights situation, which remains bleak, particularly for women and girls who continue to face systematic gender-based discrimination.

We repeat our calls for an immediate reversal of all policies and practices of unacceptable repression of women and girls. Full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women and girls in all spheres of public life is essential and they need to be included in all related discussions at all levels.

Humanitarian aid is still needed by nearly 30 million people, with profound repercussions for the overall stability of Afghanistan. All humanitarian operations must have safe and unhindered access to deliver urgent aid. It is essential to ensure that humanitarian aid is distributed safely, fairly and in a gender-responsive manner to all Afghan people in need.

Madam President,

Worsening adverse effects of climate change, environmental degradation and natural disasters such as floods and drought are another acute challenge for Afghanistan. It is widely impacting the humanitarian situation and overall stability of the country, including through contributing to displacement, water scarcity, food insecurity and land degradation.

We welcome UNAMA’s work in this regard and encourage further analysis and engagements with respect to the peace and security implications of climate change and environmental impacts on Afghanistan, and the region.

Madam President,

In conclusion, let me stress that despite the continuously regressive developments in Afghanistan which warrant serious concern, Slovenia and most international partners, remain ready to assist the Afghan people on their path to a secure, stable, prosperous and inclusive Afghanistan.

However, the Taliban must create suitable and sustainable conditions, by upholding international law and fulfilling Afghanistan’s international obligations, including the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Violence Against Women. After all, a nation’s true success is measured by how it treats its women – because when women thrive, society thrives.

I thank you.

Recent Statements