The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate said in a statement on Wednesday that Gilles Bertrand, the newly appointed EU Special Envoy for Afghanistan, has assured the IEA of the continuation of EU assistance to the country.

Bertrand made these remarks during a meeting with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Bertrand has praised the Islamic Emirate for their four-year achievements in areas of stability, security and economy, assuring continued EU assistance and calling for expanded cooperation to attract major foreign investment to the country.

The statement added that Bertrand praised the IEA as well for accommodating millions of returning Afghan migrants.

He also noted the EU’s increased attention and cooperation in the economic sector, particularly regarding Afghanistan’s private sector and called for further collaboration between the two sides to attract investment from major international companies.

During the meeting, Muttaqi expressed appreciation for the work of the EU’s previous envoy for Afghanistan within the framework of humanitarian cooperation.

Muttaqi also highlighted major projects launched by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan over the past four years and called on the European Union to take positive steps toward Afghanistan’s development in various areas.

In conclusion, both sides emphasized the continuation of cooperation and such meetings.

Tensions between Kabul and Islamabad continue to rise, prompting renewed concern among regional stakeholders and pushing mediation efforts into a critical phase.

With relations worsening and no signs of a breakthrough, diplomatic actors are ramping up attempts to steer both sides toward dialogue and de-escalation.

Diplomatic sources say political engagement remains the only viable path to resolving the current standoff. Qatar, Türkiye, Iran, and China have all stepped in to facilitate communication, each seeking to create conditions that could pave the way for direct talks between the Islamic Emirate and Pakistan.

Iran is reportedly working to convene a dedicated regional meeting focused on jump-starting dialogue — an initiative that follows earlier mediation efforts by Qatar and Türkiye, both of which are currently on hold. China has also reiterated its support for negotiations, stating that Beijing stands ready to help ease tensions and strengthen bilateral ties.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is expected to host a fresh round of talks between Kabul and Islamabad in the coming weeks. Riyadh previously facilitated discussions between delegations from both countries, though those meetings ended without tangible progress.

Analysts caution that regional diplomacy, however active, can only succeed if both Kabul and Islamabad demonstrate the political will to resolve their disputes. Effective mediation, they say, could restore stability to one of South and Central Asia’s most strained bilateral relationships — but the window for a peaceful settlement may be narrowing.

Afghanistan is heading into 2026 with worsening humanitarian needs as overlapping crises continue to erode essential services and protection systems, UNICEF warned in its Humanitarian Action for Children 2026 appeal.

According to the agency, 21.9 million people — including 11.6 million children — will require humanitarian assistance next year. This comes as the country remains trapped in a cycle of natural disasters, economic instability, shrinking protection space, and climate-driven shocks, all compounding the impact of more than 40 years of conflict.

UNICEF says the protection crisis is deepening, with women of reproductive age, children, youth, and marginalized groups facing heightened risks. Women and girls remain disproportionately affected due to bans on secondary education and restrictions on employment, which the agency describes as a “systemic rights crisis” with severe long-term consequences.

The report also highlights chronic underinvestment in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) systems, made worse by recurring drought, floods, and harsh winters. These compounding pressures are undermining community resilience and increasing dependency on humanitarian aid.

To meet urgent needs and reinforce community-level systems, UNICEF is appealing for $949.1 million. The funding aims to provide life-saving support to 12 million people, including 6.5 million children, through health services, education, nutrition treatment, and safe drinking water.

Key Targets for 2026

12 million people to access healthcare in priority provinces

5.7 million children to receive emergency education support

1.3 million children (6–59 months) with severe wasting or high-risk malnutrition to receive treatment

2.9 million people to gain access to safe drinking water through UNICEF-supported programmes

UNICEF underscores that sustained support is crucial to ensuring Afghan children “have the chance to survive and thrive” despite one of the world’s most complex and protracted crises.