Russian envoy says UN-brokered meeting on Afghanistan expected in second half of January

The next UN-mediated international meeting of special envoys on Afghanistan may take place in the second half of January, Zamir Kabulov, Russia’s special envoy to Afghanistan, told TASS news agency.

The first such conference on Afghanistan was held at UN chief Antonio Guterres’ initiative in Doha on May 1 and 2, 2023.

Kabulov also said that the United States must return frozen Afghan assets not just in full, but with interest.

Speaking about the results of his visit to Afghanistan in December, Kabulov noted that he discussed further strengthening relations with part of the Afghan leadership, adding that the visit turned out to be constructive.

He said that Russia indicated readiness to cooperate with Afghanistan.

This comes as Stephanie Tremblay, Associate Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, said on Thursday that the Secretary-General intends to organize a second meeting of special envoys for Afghanistan at an appropriate time.

“I don’t have a time to announce today, and this is to cement international consensus on the way forward and to discuss the recommendations of the independent assessments,” she said.

According to her, the work of UN Special Coordinator for Afghanistan, Feridun Sinirlioğlu has been extended until the end of February to support the preparations for the envoys meeting as well as relevant consultations.