According to the United Nations website and the website of China's Permanent Mission to the United Nations, on June 15 local time, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2822, extending the authorization granted to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan for one year, until June 17, 2027. The resolution was drafted by China.
Fu Cong, permanent representative of China to the United Nations, made an explanatory statement after the vote on the UN Security Council.
Chair
The Security Council just unanimously passed a resolution extending the authorization of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan for one year. As the country that drafted this resolution, China expresses its gratitude to the members of the Security Council for their support and cooperation. I would like to emphasize several points in connection with the resolution.
Firstly, the resolution demonstrates strong support for the work of the UNAMA. It maintains and strengthens the core mandates of UNAMA in coordinating international assistance, conducting political mediation, and promoting human rights protection. It also entails necessary streamlining of outdated or redundant mandates. This helps UNAMA focus on its key responsibilities and better meet the needs of the Afghan situation, while addressing concerns of the international community. The resolution emphasizes the importance of UNAMA and relevant United Nations agencies’ work in Afghanistan. It calls for providing the necessary facilities and security guarantees for the United Nations’ operations there, and urges the removal of policies that restrict female United Nations staff from entering the office area.
Secondly, the resolution expresses deep concern about the economic and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. The United Nations Mission in Afghanistan should continue to advocate for increased assistance from the international community, especially traditional donors, to support Afghanistan in addressing humanitarian crises, resettling returning refugees, promoting economic recovery and regional cooperation, and enhancing its ability to develop independently. The resolution also calls for the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan to facilitate the use of Afghan central bank assets for the well-being of the Afghan people. We call on relevant countries to return Afghan central bank assets as soon as possible, lift unlawful unilateral sanctions against Afghanistan, and create favorable conditions for Afghanistan’s reconstruction and development.
Third, the resolution reaffirms the serious concern regarding human rights in Afghanistan, particularly issues related to women’s rights. The United Nations Mission in Afghanistan should continue to communicate with the Afghan government and relevant parties in accordance with the requirements of the resolution, and work towards ensuring that the Afghan people’s basic rights are effectively protected, especially respecting the equal rights of women and girls in various fields such as education, healthcare, employment, justice, and public life. We hope that the Afghan government will listen to the legitimate demands of its own people and the international community, and take more proactive measures to protect human rights, particularly women’s rights, while presenting an open, inclusive, and responsible image.
Fourth, the resolution expresses expectations for Afghanistan’s integration into the international community. The Assistance Mission should continue to play a bridging role, facilitating contacts and dialogues between the international community and the Afghan government. It is hoped that Afghanistan will establish inclusive governance and moderate administration, fulfill its international obligations, and return to the international community at an early date. We support the Doha Process led by the United Nations in playing its proper role, as well as regional mechanisms such as the Mechanism for Coordination and Cooperation among Afghan Neighbors, the Moscow Model, and the SCO, in making further contributions to this process. The resolution reaffirms the importance of counter-terrorism, and calls for stronger cooperation between Afghanistan and regional countries in combating terrorism, eliminating all terrorist forces, and maintaining common security.
Chairperson,
To support the UNISFA in continuously improving its performance and effectiveness, the resolution requires the Secretary-General to conduct a strategic assessment of UNISFA and submit a related report by the end of March next year. We look forward to the Secretariat listening to the opinions of the Afghan government, regional countries, and other relevant parties, conducting a fair and objective assessment, and proposing practical and feasible recommendations. The Chinese side is willing to continue working with the members of the Security Council to support UNISFA in fulfilling its responsibilities more effectively and making due contributions to the long-term stability of Afghanistan.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
