On the fifth day of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, the foreign ministers of China, Saudi Arabia, and Kazakhstan highlighted the importance of ensuring peace and stability in Afghanistan.
The Chinese foreign minister stressed that the issue of Afghanistan is linked to regional peace and security and that Afghanistan should be assisted in forming responsible governance, effectively combating terrorism, and other sectors.
Wang Yi, the Chinese Foreign Minister, said: “The issue of Afghanistan concerns regional peace and security. It is important to help the country exercise prudent governance, fight terrorism effectively, improve people’s life and reinvigorate the economy to create a better life or future for the people of Afghanistan.”
Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan also stressed their commitment to peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said: “We are committed to peace and stability in Afghanistan. Afghanistan cannot be abandoned by the region and the international community or fall prey to terrorists. It is essential to end the humanitarian and security situation in Afghanistan, which provides a conducive environment for various groups and militias to continue their activities, even now as the crisis between Ukraine and Russia is ongoing.”
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu said: “Our regional agenda also includes the development of Afghanistan into a stable and predictable State. A reliable trade partner — in this context the United Nations Regional Center on sustainable development for Central Asia and Afghanistan — will play an important role in coordinating efforts to achieve sustainable development goals. We hope that this initiative will receive widespread support under the innovative actions of member countries that uphold human rights.”
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attributed the growth of Al-Qaeda and ISIS to the 20-year presence of the United States and its allies in Afghanistan.
Sergey Lavrov said: “The invasion of Afghanistan and the shameful 20-year presence of the coalition there led to the reformation of Al-Qaeda. The direct result of the invasion of Iraq was the creation of ISIS.”
In this meeting, the Foreign Minister of Indonesia also emphasized his country’s commitment to maintaining global peace. He also stressed the importance of access to education, investment, and the empowerment of women in Afghanistan.
Retno Lestari Priansari Marsudi, the Indonesian Foreign Minister, said: “Indonesia is committed to helping global peace as one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping efforts and playing an active role in countering terrorism. We also strive to ensure that the security we guarantee includes women’s peace and security programs, which contribute to their empowerment. This also includes equal access for women and girls to education in Afghanistan.”
Although the Islamic Emirate has not yet responded to the views of these foreign ministers, on the first day of the session, it called on the United Nations to properly fulfill its mission in engaging with Afghanistan’s caretaker government.
The 79th United Nations General Assembly is set to conclude on September 30.