The Security Council has just decided to extend the mandate of UNAMA in Afghanistan with one year until 17 March 2023. As penholder for UNAMA, Norway is very pleased with this important decision of the Council.
The Council gives a clear message with this new mandate: UNAMA has a crucial role to play in promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan and to support the Afghan people as they face unprecedented challenges and uncertainty.
Specifically, the resolution reaffirms UNAMA’s role on:
- coordination and facilitation of humanitarian assistance and basic human needs
- monitoring, protection and promotion of human rights of all Afghans
- facilitating inclusive political dialogue between all relevant Afghan actors and stakeholders, and the international community
As penholder, it was a priority for Norway to maintain the strong political, humanitarian and human rights mandate of UNAMA while emphasizing concerns for the situation of Afghan women and girls.
With this resolution UNAMA will maintain a strong mandate to promote gender equality, women’s participation in dialogue and decision-making and the rights of women and girls. UNAMA will also continue to monitor and report on violations and abuses against children.
It is also important to underline that the resolution gives UNAMA a solid mandate to engage with all relevant actors on all aspects of its mandate. That includes the Taliban, but it is in no way implying UN recognition of the Taliban.
This new mandate for UNAMA is crucial not only to respond to the immediate humanitarian and economic crisis, but also to reach our overarching goal of peace and stability in Afghanistan. All of the components of this renewed mandate will be crucial.
I thank you.