Afghanistan’s Prime Minister, Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, met with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk in Kabul on Thursday evening, emphasizing the need to strengthen bilateral relations and expand economic cooperation between the two countries.

According to a statement from the Presidential Palace, several senior officials from both countries attended the meeting, including Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and representatives of Russia’s political and economic sectors.

Akhund described Afghanistan’s security and stability as favourable conditions for foreign investment and thanked Moscow for recognizing the Islamic Emirate and supporting Afghanistan in international forums.

Meanwhile, Overchuk praised the security situation and developments in Afghanistan, expressing Russia’s interest in investing in various sectors of the country.

He said around 70 representatives of Russia’s private sector were accompanying the delegation and were expected to hold discussions with relevant ministries and institutions of the Islamic Emirate on trade and investment agreements, as well as ways to address existing obstacles.

The Russian deputy prime minister reaffirmed his country’s support for Afghanistan in various fields.

Afghanistan’s private sector and the Russian Federation have signed 15 economic cooperation agreements worth a total of $103 million.

The agreements were signed in the presence of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, and Alexey Overchuk, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister.

Under the agreements, the two sides will cooperate in importing medicines, wheat, flour, and cooking oil into Afghanistan, as well as exporting fresh Afghan fruits, particularly pomegranates, to Russia.

Expanding bilateral trade relations and developing economic cooperation in various sectors are also among the key areas covered by the agreements.

According to officials, the agreements will facilitate two-way exports and imports between the two countries.

The United Nations has warned of worsening water shortages, the impacts of climate change and inadequate infrastructure in Afghanistan’s central highland regions, highlighting growing challenges facing communities in remote areas.

Rabab Fatima, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Afghanistan, raised the concerns during a visit to Bamyan province, where she assessed the living conditions and challenges facing local communities.

Fatima said poor road networks and inadequate infrastructure in remote areas have made it increasingly difficult for residents to access essential services, including healthcare and education.

During her visit to the mountainous central regions of Afghanistan from November 2 to 4, she met with local communities to discuss their daily challenges, as well as opportunities for improving livelihoods and access to basic services.

She also stressed the need to expand healthcare services, establish more medical facilities in underserved areas and strengthen support for girls’ education.

Fatima praised the enthusiasm of students in Bamyan for education and highlighted the growing participation of women in business, describing these developments as encouraging signs for the region’s future.

She called for equal educational and economic opportunities for girls and women, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that remote communities are not left behind.

The visit comes as Afghanistan’s central highlands continue to face significant challenges linked to climate change, water scarcity and limited infrastructure, underscoring the need for sustained support and investment in essential services.