The Director General of the Norwegian Committee for Afghanistan has reaffirmed the organization’s strong commitment to the Afghan people, stating that its support will continue unconditionally, irrespective of the nature of the governing authority in Kabul.In an exclusive interview with TOLO News, Magnuson Watrdal called on the international community to sustain its assistance to Afghanistan.
Kabul 24: Taria Magnuson Watrdal, Director General of the Norwegian Committee for Afghanistan, emphasized that many of the current challenges facing the country stem from past foreign interventions. “Therefore, the international community has a moral responsibility to continue supporting Afghanistan, even as global development and humanitarian aid budgets are shrinking,” she said.Watrdal welcomed the one-year extension of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and urged the global community to maintain constructive engagement with the current Afghan authorities.
Norway has long been an active player in Afghanistan’s affairs. Before the Islamic Emirate’s return to power, the country hosted several rounds of dialogue between the previous government and representatives of the Taliban, demonstrating Oslo’s consistent role in peace efforts.
The Norwegian official highlighted the importance of girls’ education and women’s participation in society. She stressed that the international community can encourage the current government to make progress in these areas through sustained dialogue. “It is not for the international community to decide Afghanistan’s domestic policies,” Watrdal noted. “We may disagree with many current policies, but these decisions belong to the Afghan people themselves.
Dialogue is therefore essential, and I am confident we can find common pathways for progress.”The Norwegian Committee for Afghanistan has maintained a long-standing presence in the country, implementing projects in humanitarian aid, education, healthcare, and community development.
Despite repeated political upheavals, the organization has remained committed to helping vulnerable populations and strengthening local capacities.Afghanistan continues to grapple with severe economic hardship, humanitarian needs, and social challenges.
In this context, uninterrupted international support is viewed as critical to preventing further deterioration. Experts argue that pragmatic engagement with the de facto authorities, while upholding core human rights principles, offers the most viable route toward stability and sustainable development.
Watrdal concluded by underscoring that assistance to the Afghan people should not be held hostage to political changes. The international community, she said, must act with a long-term, responsible outlook and fulfill its ethical obligations.
By keeping channels of communication open and focusing on practical outcomes, both sides can work toward tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary Afghans.
This position reflects Norway’s broader foreign policy approach, which prioritizes humanitarian values, multilateral engagement, and quiet diplomacy even in complex and sensitive environments.
As global attention risks shifting elsewhere, the Norwegian Committee’s message serves as a reminder that the people of Afghanistan should not be forgotten amid evolving geopolitical priorities.
