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UNAMA and regional cooperation shape pragmatic engagement with Afghanistan
Afghanistan is ‘no longer viewed exclusively as a source of risks, but increasingly as a space of opportunities, especially from Central Asia’s perspective’.
The international approach to Afghanistan continues to evolve nearly five years after the Islamic Emirate takeover, with the United Nations and regional actors increasingly favouring pragmatic engagement over isolation.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) remains central to this effort, serving as a diplomatic intermediary between the authorities and the international community, The Diplomat reported this week. Operating under a UN Security Council mandate, the mission focuses on political engagement, human rights monitoring, and coordination of humanitarian assistance in a deteriorating socio-economic environment.
UN officials argue that engagement remains the only viable option given current realities. While sanctions target individuals rather than the state, the absence of international recognition continues to limit investment and long-term development.
Regional cooperation, particularly with Central Asia, is also gaining importance. Countries in the region are expanding their role in humanitarian logistics, trade, and infrastructure connectivity, with the Uzbek city of Termez emerging as a key aid hub.
Efforts to build a unified international framework remain complicated by differing positions among global and regional actors, as well as the Afghan authorities themselves. However, UNAMA maintains that dialogue channels remain open despite persistent trust deficits.
At the same time, a broader regional development architecture is taking shape. The planned 2025 launch of the UN Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals in Almaty — supported by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev — is expected to complement UNAMA’s immediate role by focusing on long-term priorities across Central Asia.
Together, these initiatives reflect a shift toward structured, gradual engagement, with Afghanistan increasingly viewed through the lens of managed cooperation rather than isolation.