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47th Plenary Meeting of General Assembly 71st Session
By the terms of the text, titled “The situation in Afghanistan” (document A/71/L.13), the Assembly pledged its continued support, in particular as the Government rebuilt a stable, secure and economically self-sufficient State free from terrorism and narcotics while strengthening the foundations of its constitutional democracy.
Encouraging all partners to constructively support the National Unity Government’s reform agenda, including through the Afghanistan National Peace and Development Framework (2017-2021) and Self-Reliance through Mutual Accountability Framework, the Assembly expressed support for the continuing and growing national ownership of its reconstruction and development efforts.
The text touched on both progress and challenges in the fields of security, peace and reconciliation, democracy, rule of law, human rights and good governance, along with other critical areas. Among other things, the Assembly reiterated its serious concern about Afghanistan’s security situation, stressing the need to address region-based violent extremists and other illegal armed groups, including those involved in the narcotics trade.
Speakers throughout the ensuing debate underscored their commitment to an Afghan-owned, Afghan-led peace process and vowed to bolster the country’s security and development. Many pointed to the $15.2 billion raised at the recent Brussels Conference on Afghanistan as a strong demonstration of the international community’s continued support, while others welcomed commitments that had been made in July at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit, where members had agreed to extend their commitment to Afghanistan until 2020.
Afghanistan’s representative recalled that, seven decades ago, his country’s flag had been raised at the General Assembly for the first time. Today, he said stood before the Assembly on behalf of a great nation whose stories of resilience and accomplishment against all odds could serve as a source of hope and inspiration. Noting that the Brussels conference had marked a milestone and revitalized Afghanistan’s partnership with the international community, he nevertheless spotlighted a number of challenges, including a “thinly disguised declared war” by a neighbouring State that had used the Taliban and other groups to orchestrate attacks and stoke the flames of disunity.
Australia’s delegate urged all parties, including the Taliban, to seek further progress towards peace in 2017. As insecurity and conflict continued to pervade every aspect of life and governance, securing public trust depended on law and order and effective policing. The Afghan National Defence and Security Forces had fought bravely and resolutely, but the insurgency remained defiant. Noting the important role of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), he nevertheless expressed concern that civilians continued to bear the brunt of war, stressing that “ordinary Afghans deserve better”.
Pakistan’s speaker, noting that large numbers of terrorists, foreign terrorist fighters and militant groups posed a threat to Afghanistan and the entire region, underscored the need to counter threats from Al-Qaida, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) and other groups. Afghanistan’s reconciliation was being frustrated by local and regional interests that were marginal to the global campaign against terrorist organizations, she said, stressing that “Afghanistan could once again become a source of global terrorism, with grave implications for the region and the world”.
Echoing those sentiments, the Russian Federation’s representative expressed concern over the broad use of the term “violent extremism”, including in the Assembly’s resolution, as it did not accurately reflect the situation on the ground. “We can only call these scourges what they are: terrorism,” he said. Among other things, the Russian Federation supported efforts towards Afghanistan’s national reconciliation and would consider supporting the relaxation of sanctions that had been imposed under the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011).
The delegate from the United States, stressing that stability was critical to peace and security in Central Asia, welcomed development initiatives aimed at advancing regional cooperation. Expressing her country’s willingness to work with the Government and people of Afghanistan in the years to come, she joined other speakers in emphasizing that the only way to end the conflict and establish conditions for stability was through a peace and reconciliation process between the Taliban and the Government.
On that point, however, a number of delegates disagreed, with Iran’s representative condemning any cooperation with the Taliban and other terrorist groups. Calling on the international community to continue to support the Government of Afghanistan in its efforts to combat terrorism, he went on to describe hundreds of projects Iran had supported in Afghanistan, ranging from infrastructure to training and capacity building in human resources.
Also before the Assembly was a report of the Secretary-General, titled “The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security” (document A/71/616-S/2016/768).
Delivering statements were the representatives of Tajikistan, China, Maldives, New Zealand, Turkey, Japan, Canada, Slovakia, India, Spain, Belgium, Lithuania, Georgia, Italy, Egypt, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Bulgaria, as well as the European Union.
