Georgette Gagnon, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Officer-in-Charge of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), stated in a recent press conference that political engagement with Afghanistan continues through the Doha process.
Kabul 24: She described this initiative as the sole structured multilateral platform for addressing the concerns of the Afghan people, the international community, and the de facto authorities (Islamic Emirate).
Gagnon stressed the critical importance of the United Nations’ ongoing presence in Afghanistan to advance political dialogue, coordinate humanitarian assistance, and monitor human rights. She remarked: “We continue to pursue principled and pragmatic political engagement through the Doha process.
This is the only structured multilateral forum where the concerns of the Afghan people, the international community, and the de facto authorities can be raised in a fair and constructive manner.”In her remarks, Gagnon highlighted that certain decisions by the de facto authorities are undermining Afghanistan’s prospects for reintegration into the global community.
She specifically pointed to severe restrictions on women and girls, as well as the ban preventing Afghan female UN staff from working at their offices, as major obstacles.
Despite these challenges, she noted that Afghan female UN employees are continuing their efforts to deliver humanitarian aid through remote work and alternative methods from home.
The Acting Head of UNAMA warned that such restrictions harm the country’s development, disrupt aid delivery, and block Afghanistan’s return to the international system. “Ultimately, these policies damage women, girls, families, and Afghan society as a whole,” she added.Gagnon also drew attention to the broader regional and global impacts affecting Afghanistan. Instability in the Middle East and ongoing border tensions with Pakistan have worsened the situation.
Disruptions in trade and supply routes have driven up prices of essential goods, while the risk of a new wave of Afghan returnees from neighboring countries has increased.
She expressed serious concern over the persistent cross-border clashes and airstrikes between Afghanistan and Pakistan, warning that these incidents are hindering humanitarian operations and displacing civilians, thereby exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
In conclusion, Gagnon reiterated the need for all parties to remain committed to the Doha process, describing it as the most viable pathway for finding shared, sustainable solutions to Afghanistan’s multifaceted challenges.
