The UN renews its mission in Afghanistan for one year with the abstention of Russia

United Nations, 17 Mar The UN Security Council approved this Thursday, with Russia abstention, the renewal of the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) until 17 March 2023 and has insisted on supporting its work in the Asian country. The highest UN body pointed out that among the mission's priorities - with 296 foreign and 799 national actors - will be the provision of humanitarian aid and financial resources to support humanitarian activities and aid. The previous renewal, approved in 2021, was supported by all 15 members of the Security Council, including Russia, who today stressed through its UN embassy that UNAMA's objectives are unrealistic. The new mandate will also seek to promote the strengthening of cooperation among all ethnic groups and in all areas of the country to assist people in need “including women, children, displaced persons, minorities and persons with disabilities”. It will also focus on promoting the return and reintegration of displaced and refugee populations as a result of the Taliban offensive before taking control of the entire country. The new mandate also aims to contribute to the creation of social and economic conditions that can lead to stability and self-sufficiency in the country, as well as to continue working to facilitate commercial and financial activity in Afghanistan, which is still subject to severe international sanctions. UNAMA will also work to promote dialogue between Afghan leaders and stakeholders at the local, regional and international levels, with a focus on promoting inclusive participation and governance without discrimination based on gender, religion or ethnicity. “The adoption by the Security Council of a strong new mandate for UNAMA demonstrates the international community's lasting commitment to the people of Afghanistan and to the work of the United Nations in their support,” senior US official Jeffrey DeLaurentis said in a statement. In addition, UNAMA has set itself the standard for the next six months to promote and protect the human rights of all Afghans and to monitor, defend and monitor the situation of civilians. The “support and promotion of gender equality, the empowerment of Afghan girls and women and the full protection of their human rights, including education”, as well as the full, meaningful and equal participation of women at all levels of decision-making, is another priority of the mission. The UN spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, was asked today whether the Taliban authorities have been recognized by the UN by the facts, to which he replied that there is no recognition because that depends not on the Secretary-General but on the member states, which have not yet taken a decision on the matter. However, he clarified that UN agencies continue to work in Afghanistan and therefore “deal with the de facto authorities because we will do what we have to do to help the Afghan people.”