Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has said that Afghanistan’s representation at the United Nations is both the responsibility of the Islamic Emirate and a right of the Afghan people.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Muttaqi made the remarks during a meeting with UNAMA chief Georgette Gagnon where the two sides discussed the upcoming UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan as well as other related issues.

The ministry said Muttaqi described Afghanistan’s participation in the United Nations and other international bodies as important for strengthening and expanding engagement between Afghanistan and the international community.

During the meeting, Gagnon stressed the need for greater international engagement with Afghanistan and continued cooperation in different sectors.

The ministry added that both sides emphasized expanding humanitarian cooperation, strengthening mutual engagement, and improving coordination through joint working committees.

UK Special Envoy for Afghanistan Richard Lindsay has emphasized the importance of improving relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan and ensuring the inclusion of Afghan women and girls in society.

In a statement issued following his meeting with Afghanistan’s representative to Qatar, Suhail Shaheen, in Doha, Lindsay described the talks as valuable and focused on key regional and social issues related to Afghanistan.

According to the British envoy, both sides discussed the need for practical steps to strengthen relations between Kabul and Islamabad amid ongoing regional diplomatic efforts concerning Afghanistan.

Lindsay also stressed the importance of the participation and inclusion of Afghan women and girls in society, an issue that continues to be a major focus of international engagement with the Islamic Emirate.

The meeting comes as regional and international diplomatic contacts regarding Afghanistan continue, with several countries and international actors seeking broader dialogue on political, humanitarian and regional security issues.

Britain has repeatedly called for greater engagement on matters related to education, women’s participation and regional stability while continuing diplomatic contacts concerning Afghanistan.

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has announced that more than five million people have returned to Afghanistan since 2023.

The organization reported on Monday that this influx has led to a significant increase in the country’s population, creating new challenges in the areas of housing and urban services.

According to the report, the United Nations will hold a meeting in Baku this week to discuss how to coordinate support for the integration of returnees in Afghanistan.