Abdul Salam Hanafi, Administrative Deputy Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, has met with Rabab Fatima, the newly appointed Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan, and her accompanying delegation to discuss humanitarian assistance, economic development and the challenges facing returning Afghan migrants.

During the meeting, Rabbah expressed her satisfaction at having the opportunity to serve the people of Afghanistan. She also spoke positively about development projects carried out in the country by the Islamic Emirate and expressed hope that efforts to promote economic growth and reconstruction would continue.

Rabab said the United Nations intends to expand its cooperation with Afghanistan in several areas, alongside coordinating humanitarian assistance. These include providing alternative livelihood opportunities for farmers, creating employment opportunities and expanding assistance to returning migrants.

She also praised the Islamic Emirate’s efforts to address the challenges facing returning Afghan migrants, describing the management of their return as one of Afghanistan’s major challenges.

For his part, Hanafi said more than eight million Afghan migrants have returned to the country, adding that the Islamic Emirate would use all available resources to support them and address their needs.

He further called on relevant institutions to strengthen efforts to protect the rights of returnees, create employment opportunities and provide adequate shelter.

The meeting comes amid ongoing humanitarian and economic challenges in Afghanistan, with support for returning migrants and expanded international cooperation remaining key priorities.

Around 901 square kilometres of land across Afghanistan is contaminated with unexploded ordnance, posing a continuing threat to civilians, particularly children, Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority said.

Mohammad Yousuf Hammad, spokesperson for the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority, made the remarks in an interview with Afghanistan’s state-controlled national broadcaster.

Hammad said explosions involving landmines and unexploded remnants of war continue to kill and injure large numbers of Afghans every year.

He added that, with financial support from the United Nations Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan, more than 73,000 square metres of contaminated land had been cleared in Kunduz and Baghlan provinces by December 2025.

According to available figures, approximately 1,026 people were killed or injured in Afghanistan in landmine and unexploded ordnance explosions in 2021.

Decades of conflict have left large quantities of explosive remnants of war scattered across the country, creating persistent dangers for civilians.

Children remain particularly vulnerable, as unexploded devices can be mistaken for ordinary objects or encountered while playing and travelling through affected areas.

The reported contamination highlights the continuing need for mine-clearance operations, humanitarian assistance and public awareness programmes to protect communities and prevent further civilian casualties.

Private sector representatives from Afghanistan and Uzbekistan have signed dozens of trade agreements worth a combined $151.16 million during a business meeting in Kabul, as both countries seek to expand economic cooperation and strengthen bilateral trade ties.

The agreements were signed by representatives of around 80 companies from both countries across various economic and commercial sectors.

Speaking at the meeting, Mojib Rahman Shirzad, Deputy Head of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, described expanding trade and economic relations between Kabul and Tashkent as important for both countries.

He said increased exchanges of government and private-sector delegations in recent months had created opportunities for direct engagement between business communities, helping pave the way for stronger commercial cooperation.

Meanwhile, Yarqin Malikov, Chairman of the Uzbekistan Exporters Association, said trade relations between the two countries had expanded significantly.

According to Malikov, bilateral trade, which previously stood at around $80 million, has now exceeded $1.8 billion.

He attributed the growth to stronger relations between the two countries and increasing mutual trust among Afghan and Uzbek business communities.

Malikov also said Uzbek investors and business representatives were exploring Afghanistan’s commercial potential and considering opportunities to establish joint ventures in the country.

He noted that trade figures during 2024 and 2025, particularly the first seven months of 2026, demonstrated significant growth in economic relations between the neighbouring countries.

The signing of the agreements comes as an Afghan delegation, led by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, travelled to Uzbekistan on Saturday.

The delegation is expected to meet Uzbek officials to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in several sectors, particularly agriculture.

The latest business agreements are expected to create further opportunities for private-sector cooperation, investment and increased trade between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.