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UN Vows Support Peace, Create Stable & Prosperous Afghan Nation
“The UN enjoys a long and unique relationship with Afghanistan and its people. We are proud of our enduring partnership and the unrivalled range and depth of our collaboration,” the UNAMA chief said on UN Day.
In a statement, UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative Tadamichi Yamamoto said the world organisation’s overarching priority was to support an Afghan-led peace process. UNAMA worked closely with all parties to help end the conflict, he added.
“We also strive to back the establishment of a fair, open and functioning state based on the rule of law that respects the human rights of all citizens,” the top UN diplomat said.
It was imperative that citizens have confidence in the electoral process, an issue of critical importance, according to the UNAMA head, stressing the vote of Afghans count. Let me assure you that the UN is committed to do all it can to support the holding of transparent and credible elections.
The UN family in Afghanistan is made up of more than 20 specialized entities striving to improve life for ordinary Afghans in critical areas –from better health care, education for all and job creation through to equal rights for women, improved agriculture and safeguarding the environment.
Last year alone, he recalled, the UN helped conduct polio campaigns reaching 9.9 million children; created mobile health teams to provide maternal and child health services for 1.2 million children nationwide; and fed over 3.5 million vulnerable Afghans.
The world body also helped establish more than 2,000 community-based education centres and continued to support several thousand existing centres reaching around 170,000 children, almost half of them girls.
Additionally, it supported the government to develop and publish the National Education Strategic Plan and assisted the return of almost half a million Afghans from Iran and Pakistan.
The UN backed 2,300 women and children survivors of violence in women protection and family guidance centers; provided training to Anti-Corruption Justice Centre officials and brought together 167 aid agencies to reach the people in need of aid.
“We have been honoured to work with Afghan communities over the last year just as we have over the past 70 years. I can assure you, that the UN intends to stay the course with the Afghan people for peace to be established and for the country to flourish.”