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UNSC meeting scheduled to address situation in Afghanistan

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A United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting on Afghanistan is scheduled to be held Monday, 21 October, to discuss the implementation of recommendations made recently by an independent assessor.

A senior Human Rights Watch official says that this meeting will be hosted by the representatives of Switzerland, Japan and the United Arab Emirates.

According to this senior Human Rights Watch official, the lack of clarity regarding the next steps of the international community regarding Afghanistan is worrying.

“We are increasingly concerned about the lack of clarity about how the UN Security Council will move forward after receiving the independent assessment report on Afghanistan,” said Heather Barr, director of the Women’s Rights Division at Human Rights Watch.

She said however the holding of such meetings behind closed doors was unacceptable and that women and girls and other Afghan citizens who face human rights violations have the right to know what is being discussed at the Security Council meeting and they should be part of these discussions.

“There was a first private meeting behind closed doors in which the Special Coordinator leading the independent assessment process briefed member states, followed by another closed-door meeting to discuss the report, and another one will be held behind closed doors and this time it will be hosted by the representatives of Switzerland, Japan and the United Arab Emirates to discuss the implementation of the recommendations of the independent assessment report on Afghanistan,” Barr added.

Recently, the United Nations Security Council announced that it would hold a special meeting on the situation in Afghanistan at the end of this month. In this meeting, Roza Otunbayeva, the United Nations Special Representative for Afghanistan, the head of the Sanctions Committee on Afghanistan, and a civil society representative will participate and discuss.

Although the Islamic Emirate does not say anything about this meeting, it has always emphasized that without the presence of the representative of the Islamic Emirate, such meetings will not be effective.

Feridun Sinirlioglu, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Afghanistan, presented his evaluation report about Afghanistan to the United Nations Security Council about a month ago and asked the caretaker government of Afghanistan to pay attention to human rights, especially women’s rights. Regeneration of Afghanistan in all international systems and institutions requires the participation and leadership of Afghan women, experts have said.

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High-level Kyrgyz delegation arrives in Kabul

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The Ministry of Industry and Commerce announced on Tuesday that a high-level delegation from Kyrgyzstan has arrived in Kabul.

According to the ministry’s statement, the purpose of the delegation’s visit is to expand economic cooperation and increase trade and investment between Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan.

The statement added that during the visit, the Kyrgyz delegation will meet with officials of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and participate in the Trade Communication Conference as well as bilateral meetings.

The delegation will also visit industrial facilities and various enterprises operating in Afghanistan.

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Russia calls for broad engagement with Afghan authorities

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Russia has urged the international community to adopt a comprehensive and non-politicized approach toward Afghanistan, emphasizing dialogue, regional cooperation, and practical support to stabilize the country and prevent further security deterioration.

Speaking at a recent UN Security Council meeting, Russia’s Permanent Representative, Vassily Nebenzia, said that contrary to Western predictions following the withdrawal of foreign troops, Afghanistan did not collapse. He argued that despite ongoing sanctions, Afghan authorities are making efforts to address long-standing challenges and pursue regional cooperation aimed at building a self-reliant state, though he acknowledged the process would take time and require international support.

Nebenzia said Russia continues to back the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and supports initiatives such as the Doha Process, which promotes engagement with the Islamic Emirate and Afghanistan’s gradual reintegration into global affairs. He stressed that constructive dialogue with the Afghan authorities is essential and warned against what he described as pressure, ultimatums, or sanctions-driven approaches, saying these could harden positions and undermine UN efforts on the ground.

The Russian envoy said regional players, including members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), share the view that engagement is the only viable path forward.

He also called for progress on unfreezing Afghan assets and expanding development assistance, warning that failure to do so could lead to a further drawdown of the UN presence in the country.

On security, Nebenzia expressed concern about ongoing terrorist threats, particularly from Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), also known as Daesh, noting that the group continues to receive external funding and recruit foreign fighters, including individuals with combat experience from Syria and Iraq.

He also raised alarm over uncertainty surrounding weapons left behind by NATO forces and warned of the growing production of synthetic drugs, which he said is closely linked to terrorism.

Nebenzia said Russia supports dialogue between Afghanistan and Pakistan amid rising tensions linked to militant activity, urging both sides to expand cooperation, especially on counterterrorism.

He also highlighted the worsening socio-economic situation in Afghanistan and praised humanitarian agencies for continuing their work despite funding cuts. Russia, he said, remains engaged in providing assistance and expanding cooperation with Afghanistan in political, security, and economic fields.

The Russian envoy reiterated Moscow’s support for the rights of all Afghans and the formation of an inclusive government, calling for respect for fundamental freedoms, including access to education and employment, without discrimination.

Nebenzia concluded by urging the UN to engage with Afghanistan’s “real authorities” to help resolve the country’s challenges and support its reintegration into the international community.

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Afghanistan’s public health minister begins official visit to India

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Afghanistan’s Minister of Public Health, Noor Jalal Jalali, has embarked on an official visit to India at the invitation of the Indian government, leading a delegation from the ministry.

In a statement, the Ministry of Public Health said the visit is aimed at strengthening health cooperation between the two countries, promoting the exchange of expertise, and coordinating joint health programs.

During the trip, Jalali is expected to hold meetings with Indian officials, particularly those from the health sector, and take part in a series of pre-arranged engagements.

Discussions will focus on capacity building for Afghan health workers, the import of standard medicines to Afghanistan, access to medical equipment, and other areas of cooperation.

The ministry said the visit is intended to open a new chapter in health collaboration between Afghanistan and India, with a focus on improving healthcare services and professional development.

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