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UN chief: New regional SDG centre will support Afghanistan’s path to peace and self-sufficiency
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Sunday highlighted the critical role of a newly established UN Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Central Asia and Afghanistan, describing it as a vital step toward addressing the pressing challenges facing the region — especially in Afghanistan.
Speaking at the launch event at the Centre for Sustainable Development Goals in Kazakhstan, Guterres announced the signing of the host country agreement for the centre, which will operate in partnership with UN Resident Coordinators and Country Teams across the region.
“It will contribute to accelerating progress toward the 2030 Agenda in Central Asia and Afghanistan – driven by the spirit of solidarity and shared responsibility that defines the United Nations,” said the Secretary-General.
According to Guterres, the Centre will prioritize data-driven policymaking, foster innovation, and amplify the voices of marginalized communities.
He stressed that such collaboration is especially urgent in the context of Afghanistan, where millions continue to suffer under the weight of poverty, displacement, natural disasters, and a fragile humanitarian situation.
“The people of Afghanistan continue to face immense hardship – from entrenched poverty and mass displacement to earthquakes, climate shocks, and a fragile humanitarian landscape,” he said. “They deserve peace, stability, and a better future.”
The Secretary-General also expressed gratitude to Kazakhstan for its growing cooperation with the UN and its role in hosting the Centre.
“This Centre will work with partners across the region and the international community to support Afghanistan’s path to sustainable development – with full respect for human rights, including the rights of women and girls, and with a focus on economic self-sufficiency, peace, and dignity,” Guterres added.
In his Persian New Year message, Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, on Friday highlighted the importance of Afghanistan and Pakistan, saying the two neighbors were “very close” to Iran.
Khamenei also made a direct appeal for improved relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, describing them as “two brotherly countries.” He urged both nations to work toward better cooperation and understanding, stressing that such efforts are important “for the sake of divine pleasure and to avoid division among Muslims.”
Underscoring his commitment, he added that he is personally “ready to take the necessary steps” to help facilitate stronger ties between the two countries.
In recent months, tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have risen over security issues, with cross-Durand Line clashes, airstrikes, and accusations about militant activity.
Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, announced on Friday that a 2.5-ton consignment, including emergency medicines, medical disposables, kits, and equipment has been delivered to Kabul.
According to him, the aid shipment is intended to support the swift recovery of those injured in the recent airstrike by Pakistan’s military regime.
He emphasized that India stands with the people of Afghanistan and will continue to provide all possible humanitarian assistance.
The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) has announced that Mahdi Ansary, a reporter for the Afghan News Agency (AFKA), has been released after serving one and a half years in Bagram prison.
In a statement welcoming his release, AFJC emphasized that the fundamental rights of this journalist—who had been tried and imprisoned on charges of cooperating with exiled and foreign media—were “seriously” violated.
Ansari was arrested on October 5, 2023, after returning from his workplace in Kabul.
He was sentenced on January 1, 2024 by the Kabul Primary Court to one and a half years in prison on charges of “propaganda against the Islamic Emirate.”
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