Afghanistan continues to struggle with severe energy insecurity, with more than 80% of its population lacking reliable access to electricity. In rural areas, most families still depend on firewood and other solid fuels for cooking and heating, leading to health hazards, safety risks, and environmental degradation.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is however working to change this reality by expanding renewable energy access across the country.
Through the installation of solar panels and mini-grids, UNDP is bringing electricity to schools, hospitals, and businesses—providing power, light, and new opportunities for Afghan communities.

Since 2021, UNDP’s renewable energy initiatives have powered:
• 6,469 facilities, including 5,462 health centers
• 153 educational institutions
• 854 businesses, many of them women-led, supported through grants and partnerships to make energy solutions affordable

These projects have given more than two million Afghan women access to cleaner, safer, and more sustainable energy—enhancing their daily lives and helping to create brighter futures for families and communities.

By reducing reliance on firewood and promoting renewable energy, UNDP’s efforts are strengthening Afghanistan’s health, education, and economic sectors, proving that sustainable power can foster both stability and growth.

A high-level Turkish delegation comprising the foreign and defense ministers as well as the intelligence chief will travel to Pakistan this week to discuss ongoing efforts toward a ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Sunday.

According to an official readout of Erdogan’s remarks made aboard his return flight from Baku — where he met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif — the visit aims to help secure a lasting truce and promote peace between Islamabad and Kabul.

Erdogan said Türkiye is “closely following the terrorist attacks in Pakistan and the tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan,” expressing hope that the talks mediated by Ankara would lead to “lasting stability” in the region.

He added that Türkiye and Pakistan are also seeking to deepen cooperation in multiple sectors, particularly trade, energy, and defense industries.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Amir Khan Muttaqi, held a telephone conversation on Sunday with his Iranian counterpart, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, focusing on bilateral relations and key regional developments.

According to a statement from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two ministers exchanged views on the recent Afghanistan-Pakistan talks in Istanbul, as well as broader efforts to strengthen cooperation and stability in the region.

Araghchi underscored the importance of resolving differences between Kabul and Islamabad through diplomatic dialogue and reiterated Iran’s readiness to assist in facilitating constructive engagement between the two neighboring countries.

In turn, Muttaqi said that the Afghan delegation had taken part in the Istanbul talks under the guidance of the Islamic Emirate’s leadership, with a focus on achieving a peaceful and negotiated settlement to ongoing tensions. He emphasized that Afghanistan remains committed to resolving disputes through diplomacy and mutual understanding.

Muttaqi also noted that during the third round of discussions, the Pakistani side had been unwilling to take responsibility for certain issues, which hindered progress and prevented concrete outcomes.

The conversation highlighted both countries’ shared interest in promoting regional stability and expanding cooperation across political and economic fronts.