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West discusses Afghanistan in meetings on sidelines of UNGA
US Special Representative for Afghanistan Thomas West has met with officials of a number of countries and organizations on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Following meeting with Japan’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Kansuke Nagaoka, West said on Twitter that Japan is a “stalwart supporter of the Afghan people, active diplomatically, and generous in its contributions to address Afghans’ humanitarian and basic needs.”
West also met with Tariq Ali Bakheet, special envoy of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC), to discuss OIC’s work in Afghanistan.
“Appreciate the OIC’s focus on promoting moderation, tolerance, women and girls’ access to education, and women’s right to work,” West said.
Following his meeting with Norway’s Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt, the envoy said that they discussed “shared interests” in Afghanistan.
“Norway is a critical partner as we seek to continue principled support of the Afghan people,” he said.
West also met with head of International Rescue Committee (IRC), David Miliband, and said the organization is a “tremendous partner at the forefront of delivering principled assistance across Afghanistan.”
On his meeting with Pakistan’s Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani, the envoy said that they discussed “shared security interests, the imperative to support Afghan women and girls’ rights, and the status of humanitarian support in Afghanistan.”
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry in a statement that the country’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met with the United States’ Deputy Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland, United States’ Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf, and Special Representative of US President for Afghanistan Thomas West, on the margin of the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), held in New York.
“The meetings discussed Qatar-US bilateral relations and ways to strengthen them as well as regional and international issues of common concern in addition to the latest developments in Afghanistan,” the statement said.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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