The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) chief, Roza Otunbayeva, presented a quarterly report on Afghanistan’s situation to the UN Security Council.
In her report, Otunbayeva highlighted recent developments in the country and noted that UNAMA has provided $15.3 million in assistance to the Afghan people this year. She also emphasized the consequences of recent restrictions on women’s medicle education, saying: “If fully implemented, this [ban on women attending medical institutes] would have deadly implications for women and girls in particular, but also for men and boys, entire communities, and the country as a whole – by denying Afghans a functioning healthcare system that is open to all.”
Addressing the ban on women’s work in NGOs and international organizations, she reiterated concerns, saying: “Engagement is not normalization or recognition. It is a way of consistently communicating the advantages of rejoining the international system.” She urged the de facto authorities to reconsider their decisions, particularly on restrictions affecting women and girls.
Referring to a recent explosion at the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation, Otunbayeva noted that threats to Afghanistan’s security and stability persist.
The report also covered climate challenges facing Afghanistan. Otunbayeva warned, “In Kabul city, with a population over 5 million, available groundwater may be completely depleted as soon as 2030,” and said that women and children are disproportionately affected by climate change and environmental issues.
She concluded with a call for continued engagement, saying: “Isolation is not the solution, and we must continue to engage to build trust for the benefit of the Afghan people. We must be both patient and pragmatic, while also strong and resolute in our principles.”
In response, a spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate criticized the UN Security Council meeting, claiming that discussions held without their representation would be “biased and detached from reality.”