Afghanistan’s private sector and the Russian Federation have signed 15 economic cooperation agreements worth a total of $103 million.

The agreements were signed in the presence of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, and Alexey Overchuk, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister.

Under the agreements, the two sides will cooperate in importing medicines, wheat, flour, and cooking oil into Afghanistan, as well as exporting fresh Afghan fruits, particularly pomegranates, to Russia.

Expanding bilateral trade relations and developing economic cooperation in various sectors are also among the key areas covered by the agreements.

According to officials, the agreements will facilitate two-way exports and imports between the two countries.

The United Nations has warned of worsening water shortages, the impacts of climate change and inadequate infrastructure in Afghanistan’s central highland regions, highlighting growing challenges facing communities in remote areas.

Rabab Fatima, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Afghanistan, raised the concerns during a visit to Bamyan province, where she assessed the living conditions and challenges facing local communities.

Fatima said poor road networks and inadequate infrastructure in remote areas have made it increasingly difficult for residents to access essential services, including healthcare and education.

During her visit to the mountainous central regions of Afghanistan from November 2 to 4, she met with local communities to discuss their daily challenges, as well as opportunities for improving livelihoods and access to basic services.

She also stressed the need to expand healthcare services, establish more medical facilities in underserved areas and strengthen support for girls’ education.

Fatima praised the enthusiasm of students in Bamyan for education and highlighted the growing participation of women in business, describing these developments as encouraging signs for the region’s future.

She called for equal educational and economic opportunities for girls and women, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that remote communities are not left behind.

The visit comes as Afghanistan’s central highlands continue to face significant challenges linked to climate change, water scarcity and limited infrastructure, underscoring the need for sustained support and investment in essential services.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs has held a coordination meeting with representatives of international organizations and humanitarian institutions to discuss ways to address begging in Afghanistan.

The meeting, organized by the office’s Directorate of Public Relations on November 11, 2026, focused on the root causes of begging, sustainable solutions and strengthening cooperation between the Islamic Emirate, international organizations and humanitarian agencies.

During the discussions, participants stressed the importance of creating sustainable and dignified livelihood opportunities for people involved in begging rather than relying solely on short-term assistance.

Proposed measures included vocational training, conditional cash assistance and economic empowerment programmes aimed at helping vulnerable individuals become financially self-reliant and reducing the prevalence of begging across the country.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs presented a comprehensive proposal to representatives of international organizations and humanitarian institutions to improve the management of the issue.

According to the office, the proposal was welcomed by participating organizations and institutions.

Officials emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts between government institutions and international partners in addressing the social and economic challenges contributing to begging and providing sustainable support for vulnerable communities.