The Government of Japan, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, has launched a new $2.35 million initiative aimed at supporting vulnerable communities in Afghanistan facing economic hardship, climate shocks, and the aftermath of the country’s collapsing poppy economy.

The project, titled “Resilient Income Solutions Empowering Alternative Livelihoods (RISE)”, will run from March 2026 to March 2027 and target some of the country’s most affected regions, including Balkh Province and Nimroz province.

Funded by the Japan, the initiative seeks to help vulnerable Afghans, particularly women and women-led households, transition to sustainable sources of income.

The program will invest in productive infrastructure such as irrigation systems, water management facilities, and market-supporting assets, while also strengthening local value chains and supporting women-led businesses.

The project comes at a critical time, as Afghanistan faces overlapping challenges, including food insecurity, large-scale returnee movements, and limited economic opportunities. By promoting alternative livelihoods, the initiative aims to reduce reliance on illicit economies and help stabilize high-risk communities.

Japanese Ambassador to Afghanistan, Kenichi Masamoto, reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to the country’s recovery. “This project will build upon our previous support to continue providing much-needed sustainable livelihood opportunities, especially for women and vulnerable communities,” he said.

Meanwhile, Stephen Rodriques, Resident Representative of UNDP in Afghanistan, highlighted the urgency of such efforts. He described the initiative as part of a long-standing partnership between Japan and UNDP, adding that it “offers hope to vulnerable communities most affected by ongoing economic, social, and environmental crises.”

In addition to infrastructure and economic support, the RISE project will promote social cohesion by bringing together host communities and returnees through shared economic activities.

The initiative builds on UNDP’s earlier programs under the Area-Based Approach to Development Emergency Initiatives (ABADEI) and aligns with broader UN strategies for Afghanistan, with a focus on inclusive recovery and long-term stability.

Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai has urged the United Nations to publicly condemn recent attacks by Pakistan on Afghan soil, calling them violations of international law that undermine regional stability.

In a letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Karzai highlighted that the attacks have caused civilian casualties and inflicted significant damage to Afghanistan’s national infrastructure. He warned that continued cross-border aggression could exacerbate instability in an already volatile region.

Karzai also criticized Pakistan’s historical approach toward Afghanistan, noting that over the past four decades, Islamabad has often used militancy and extremism as instruments of influence. “This strategy has consistently threatened Afghanistan’s sovereignty and fueled cycles of violence,” Karzai wrote.

The former president appealed to the UN Secretary-General to leverage diplomatic channels and international mechanisms to prevent further violations. He emphasized that decisive action by the international community could reduce tensions and help avert a deepening regional crisis.

These remarks come amid renewed tensions along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, where skirmishes and airstrikes have been reported intermittently over the past several months. Analysts warn that without sustained diplomatic engagement, the border disputes could escalate into broader confrontations, threatening peace efforts in both countries.

Karzai’s call reflects growing international concern over the stability of South and Central Asia, particularly as Afghanistan continues to rebuild after years of conflict and Pakistan navigates its own internal security challenges.

Afghanistan and Uzbekistan have signed 20 commercial agreements worth more than $400 million, marking a significant step toward expanding economic cooperation between the two neighboring countries.

The deals were finalized during a high-level business meeting in Uzbekistan’s Fergana Province, where Afghan and Uzbek private sector representatives gathered as part of an official Afghan trade delegation visit.

The agreements span multiple sectors, including textiles, raw materials, pharmaceuticals and other key industries.

The Afghan delegation was led by Zalgai Azimi, deputy for investment at the Afghan Chamber of Commerce, and included senior business figures such as Abdullah Rahimi, Syed Ahmad Noorzad, Ubaidullah Hotak, and Deputy Chief Executive Mirzaman Popal. Participants from both sides highlighted the importance of strengthening cross-border trade and building long-term commercial partnerships.

As part of the visit, Afghan delegates toured major industrial facilities in Fergana Valley to assess Uzbekistan’s manufacturing capacity and explore opportunities for future collaboration.

The agreements come as Afghanistan seeks to boost regional connectivity and revive its economy following years of conflict, isolation and economic disruption.

Trade with Central Asian neighbors—particularly Uzbekistan—has become increasingly important, with both sides investing in transport links, energy cooperation and cross-border markets.

Uzbekistan has positioned itself as a key economic partner for Afghanistan in recent years, supporting infrastructure projects and promoting trade corridors that connect South and Central Asia.

Analysts say deals of this scale could help generate jobs, increase exports and gradually integrate Afghanistan more deeply into regional supply chains.

The latest agreements signal growing momentum in bilateral relations, as both countries look to translate geographic proximity into stronger economic interdependence.