Kazakhstan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Yerkin Tukumov, has called for continued international engagement with Afghanistan, warning that economic, humanitarian, and institutional vacuums could contribute to instability and security threats in the region.

Writing in an opinion article published by EuAlive, Tukumov argued that constructive engagement with Afghanistan is necessary to address common challenges, including terrorism, illegal migration, and drug trafficking.

“The experience of recent decades has demonstrated that any vacuum—whether economic, humanitarian, or institutional—is inevitably filled by destructive processes in Afghanistan,” he said.

Tukumov noted that Afghanistan continues to face significant humanitarian challenges, with nearly 29 million people in need of assistance. He also pointed to the return of millions of Afghan refugees from Iran and Pakistan since 2023, which has placed additional pressure on the country’s economy and public services.

According to the Kazakh envoy, approximately 3.7 million Afghan children are suffering from malnutrition, while issues related to security, governance, and the rights of women and girls remain concerns for the international community.

Despite these challenges, Tukumov said Afghanistan has avoided the economic and political collapse predicted by some observers following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. He noted that government revenues have grown gradually, while small and medium-sized businesses and industrial parks have emerged in major Afghan cities.

Kazakhstan, he said, is pursuing a policy of “pragmatic engagement without recognition,” maintaining transport, energy, and humanitarian cooperation with Afghanistan while withholding formal diplomatic recognition of the current authorities.

Tukumov emphasized the growing importance of Central Asia in Afghanistan’s external relations, describing the region as a key source of energy, food supplies, and economic cooperation. Trade between Afghanistan and Central Asian countries has increased significantly in recent years, he added.

The envoy also highlighted Kazakhstan’s educational and humanitarian initiatives in Afghanistan, including scholarship programs for Afghan students and assistance in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and water management.

He suggested that education and healthcare could become important areas of cooperation between Kazakhstan and the European Union in Afghanistan. Such efforts, he said, could include the construction of medical facilities, the deployment of mobile health units, and expanded professional training programs.

Tukumov argued that humanitarian assistance and economic cooperation should not be viewed as concessions but as practical tools for promoting long-term stability and preventing future crises.

“By investing in healthcare, education, and human capital, the international community can help strengthen resilience and create conditions for sustainable development in Afghanistan,” he wrote.

The comments come amid ongoing regional and international discussions on how to engage with Afghanistan while addressing humanitarian needs and broader security concerns.

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Interior Affairs says a nationwide campaign against narcotics, with a particular focus on synthetic drugs, is being intensified as authorities seek to curb the growing threat posed by illicit substances.

Speaking at a seminar in Kabul titled “Causes of Youth Drug Addiction and Prevention Methods,” Abdul Haq Mati, Head of Survey and Analysis at the Counter-Narcotics Deputy Office of the Ministry of Interior, said significant progress has been made in combating traditional narcotics. However, he noted that synthetic drugs remain a major challenge, with many of these substances being smuggled into the country from neighboring states.

Mati said security and law enforcement agencies are tasked with identifying, arresting and referring key figures involved in drug trafficking networks to judicial authorities. He added that efforts to prevent the trafficking and distribution of synthetic drugs are continuing across the country.

The seminar brought together students, officials from the Counter-Narcotics Department and university professors to discuss the causes of youth addiction and strategies for prevention.

Officials described synthetic drugs as one of the country’s most pressing concerns and said targeted programs have been introduced to combat the problem, building on measures previously used against traditional narcotics.

While acknowledging the progress made in anti-narcotics efforts, several university professors stressed that security measures alone would not be sufficient to address the issue. They called for greater investment in employment opportunities, education and social development initiatives aimed at tackling the root causes of addiction.

Participants also highlighted the importance of effectively managing and disrupting the entire narcotics supply chain, from street-level distribution to larger trafficking networks, as a key component in reducing the social and economic impact of drug abuse.

Students attending the seminar said awareness campaigns play an important role in prevention but argued that unemployment and limited access to education remain major factors that leave young people vulnerable to drug use.

The event, organized by a university in cooperation with the Counter-Narcotics Department, concluded with calls for stronger youth-focused programs, continued enforcement of anti-drug laws and greater efforts to address the underlying causes of addiction.

Participants agreed that a combination of prevention, public awareness, employment opportunities and law enforcement remains essential to protecting young people from drug addiction and curbing the spread of narcotics across the country.