Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi held talks in Kabul with Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, focusing on engagement between the Islamic Emirate and the United Nations and the UN-led Doha process.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the meeting covered ways to strengthen coordination and cooperation between the Islamic Emirate and the UN, as well as consultations related to the Doha talks.

Muttaqi briefed the UN delegation on Afghanistan’s political and security situation, efforts to stabilize the economy, and the management of returning migrants, describing recent measures by the Islamic Emirate as positive. He emphasized that lifting banking restrictions and unfreezing Afghanistan’s central bank assets are critical to supporting the private sector and facilitating humanitarian assistance, allowing the economy to function normally.

The foreign minister also highlighted steps taken to curb narcotics cultivation and trafficking, warning that failure to prevent drug production outside Afghanistan could once again pose risks to the country, the region, and the wider world.

DiCarlo welcomed what she described as positive developments in Afghanistan, particularly the handling of millions of returnees and transparency in the delivery of humanitarian aid. She praised efforts to combat narcotics, treat drug addiction, and implement reforms in other sectors.

The UN political chief reaffirmed continued cooperation under the Doha process, including through two working groups focused on counter-narcotics and private sector support, and called for expanding collaboration to other areas of dialogue. She stressed that humanitarian assistance remains vital for the Afghan people and underscored the need for joint efforts to ensure its delivery.

Both sides expressed hope for more frequent engagement and deeper cooperation in the future.

DiCarlo arrived in Kabul in the early hours of Saturday, January 24. Her visit comes amid ongoing UN efforts to coordinate dialogue on Afghanistan’s political future, humanitarian needs, and regional stability.

Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority said on Saturday that 61 people have been killed and 110 others injured as a result of heavy rain and snowfall over the past three days.

According to the authority, the casualties were reported in Kabul, Parwan, Panjshir, Bamyan, Daikundi, Maidan Wardak, Ghazni, Herat, Ghor, Badghis, Faryab, Sar-e-Pul, Balkh, Samangan, and Nuristan provinces.

The agency also said that 458 houses were damaged or destroyed, leaving 360 families affected. In addition, 620 livestock perished due to the severe weather.

Uzbekistan has explained its decision to join the U.S.-led Board of Peace, saying the move is closely tied to national and regional security priorities — including concerns linked to developments in Afghanistan and the wider Middle East.

Abdulaziz Kamilov, Presidential Adviser on Foreign Policy, told the Uzbekistan 24 TV channel that Uzbekistan supported the initiative because it believes the Board’s goals align with the country’s foreign policy principles and vital security interests.

Kamilov said one of the key motivations for joining the Board was security — especially the risk that instability and extremist groups from conflict zones in the Middle East could spread into neighboring regions, including Afghanistan and Central Asia. He noted that the presence of extremist organizations grew in Afghanistan after wars in the Middle East, highlighting shared regional threats.

He also mentioned cases where some Uzbek citizens had joined extremist groups abroad and later returned home, creating security challenges. The government’s response — facilitating their reintegration into society and preventing further destabilization — has been praised by the United Nations, he added.

The Board of Peace was proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump and formally established at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed its charter on January 22.

Originally designed to help resolve the crisis in Gaza, the Board’s scope has expanded to include wider peace and stability efforts. Uzbekistan sees participation as part of a coordinated international approach to conflict resolution and stability promotion involving the United States, Arab and Muslim countries, and Central Asian states.

Kamilov emphasized that Uzbekistan’s involvement also carries symbolic and diplomatic importance, reflecting international trust in Tashkent as a constructive partner on global security issues. He said that stepping into such initiatives demonstrates Uzbekistan’s commitment to peace and regional cooperation.