Qatar and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) have emphasized the need to expand bilateral relations and cooperation during a meeting in Kabul between Abdul Wasi, Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister’s Office, and Qatar’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, Murdif bin Ali Al-Qashouti.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the meeting took place at the Presidential Palace in Kabul, where the Qatari envoy described relations between Afghanistan and Qatar as historic and strong. He pledged to further strengthen ties during his diplomatic mission.

Al-Qashouti highlighted Qatar’s completed and ongoing humanitarian and development projects in Afghanistan, saying Doha intends to continue cooperation across various sectors, particularly in light of the improved security situation in the country.

The ambassador also stressed the importance of positive relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan for regional economic growth, security and stability, adding that Qatar sincerely seeks to help identify appropriate solutions to issues between the two neighboring countries.

Abdul Wasi welcomed the ambassador and described Qatar as a brotherly Muslim country that has played an important role over the past two decades in supporting peace and stability in Afghanistan.

He praised Qatar’s development initiatives in Afghanistan and called for broader cooperation between the two countries.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Abdul Wasi said the Islamic Emirate seeks constructive relations with neighboring countries, the region and the wider international community based on mutual respect, Afghanistan’s national interests and Islamic principles.

He added that while the Islamic Emirate is committed to ensuring security, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan, it also supports peace and stability in other countries.

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov has emphasized the importance of stability in Afghanistan as part of Kyrgyzstan’s campaign for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

In a message to world leaders ahead of the June 2026 UN vote, Zhaparov said the security of Central Asia is closely tied to the situation in Afghanistan and stated that Bishkek would give special attention to Afghan issues if elected to the council.

The Kyrgyz president said his country has continued providing humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people, including support for women and children, while also backing Afghanistan’s gradual economic and political integration into the international community.

Zhaparov described the current global environment as increasingly unstable, citing conflicts in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, growing geopolitical competition and what he called a weakening of international law.

He argued that smaller and landlocked nations remain underrepresented in the Security Council and said Kyrgyzstan’s candidacy seeks to promote more balanced and inclusive representation within the United Nations.

According to Zhaparov, Kyrgyzstan would pursue an independent and balanced policy on the council focused on reducing global polarization, strengthening preventive diplomacy and encouraging peaceful solutions to international disputes.

The president also highlighted Kyrgyzstan’s role in maintaining regional stability, saying border delimitation issues with neighboring Central Asian countries had been resolved peacefully through negotiations.

Zhaparov further reaffirmed Kyrgyzstan’s commitment to nuclear disarmament, climate security and international cooperation, adding that the country supports sustainable development initiatives aimed at protecting the environment from “mountains to the ocean.”

He noted that Kyrgyzstan’s bid for a Security Council seat has received unanimous support from Central Asian countries, which he described as a sign of growing regional unity.

The election for new non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council is scheduled to take place in New York City on June 3, 2026.

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Mines and Petroleum says work on the TAPI Pipeline is accelerating as pipes and technical equipment continue arriving through Turkmenbashi Port.

According to the ministry, Afghan Minister of Mines and Petroleum Hedayatullah Badri visited the port during his trip to Turkmenistan to inspect the transportation process for pipeline materials and equipment destined for Afghanistan.

The ministry said construction work on the Herat section of the project is progressing steadily, with major developments reported in several phases of the pipeline route.

Officials stated that 63 kilometers of pipeline have already been installed inside Afghanistan, while preparations for an additional 125-kilometer stretch have been completed to allow further expansion work.

The ministry added that nearly 51 kilometers of pipes have so far been transported from abroad to project sites within Afghanistan.

According to officials, implementation of the project has gained momentum in recent months, with workers currently welding around 500 meters of pipeline each day.

The TAPI pipeline is regarded as one of the region’s largest energy infrastructure projects and is intended to transport natural gas from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan to Pakistan and India.