I am honoured to deliver this statement on behalf of Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Colombia, Canada, Cape Verde, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay and the European Union.
Five years after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, we stand together - as a broad cross-regional group of United Nations Member States - in solidarity with the Afghan people and we reaffirm our steadfast commitment to a future where all Afghans, without exception, can enjoy their fundamental rights, freedoms, and dignity in peace and prosperity.
Five years on, Afghanistan faces profound human rights, humanitarian, economic and security challenges, placing immense pressure on the Afghan people and creating risks for the stability and security of neighbouring countries and the wider region.
The Taliban's systematic repression of women and girls has become a defining feature of the current system. Afghanistan remains the only country in the world where girls are banned from secondary and higher education. This grave abuse of the right to education is also having far-reaching consequences for Afghanistan's economic development and the provision of essential public services.
Through an ever-expanding web of discriminatory decrees that further entrench discrimination and weaken women's legal protections - the Taliban continue to strip women and girls of their rights, dignity and agency.
The absence of inclusive governance continues to undermine prospects for lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Humanitarian needs remain acute, human rights abuses persist, and terrorist groups continue to threaten the Afghan people and regional and international security.
We reaffirm that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to peace and security in Afghanistan, as well as in the world, and further reaffirm the demand that the territory of Afghanistan should not be used to threaten or attack any country, to plan or finance terrorist acts, or to shelter and train terrorists.
We call on the Taliban to take active measures to strengthen its efforts to combat terrorism, including those individuals and groups, entities and undertakings, designated by the Security Council.
We are also deeply concerned by the shrinking civic space and the continued restrictions on the United Nations, including the prohibition on Afghan female UN staff. These restrictions undermine the UN's ability to deliver critical assistance to the Afghan people.
Humanitarian aid alone cannot resolve Afghanistan’s crisis. The Taliban must create the conditions for Afghans to rebuild their lives with dignity, human rights, inclusive governance and security.
We once again call on the Taliban to reverse all discriminatory decrees and policies. Restore girls' access to education. Ensure the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women in all aspects of Afghan society, and respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Afghans.
We reaffirm our strong support for UNAMA and welcome the appointment of the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General to Afghanistan, Ms. Rabab Fatima.
We also urge the Taliban to engage constructively with UNAMAs leadership, including on the Doha Process, and to enable the United Nations to carry out its mandate without restriction and ensure safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access.
The Afghan people deserve our unwavering support for their quest to create a future built on rights, inclusion, opportunity and security.
Today, we renew our commitment to keeping Afghanistan high on the international agenda, to working through the United Nations, and to standing with the Afghan people.
