16.03.2026 Explanation of Vote on UNAMA

Checked Against Delivery

Thank you, Mr. President,

We also thank the Penholder China for their efforts.

Denmark voted in favour of today’s resolution to renew the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan and ensure its continued presence on the ground.

Afghanistan continues to confront a profound humanitarian and human rights crisis, with women and girls, minorities, and other vulnerable groups bearing the heaviest burden.

In this challenging context, UNAMA remains indispensable. Its mandate is essential for providing information and analysis about the situation in Afghanistan, for maintaining dialogue with the Taliban and for coordinating international efforts, including humanitarian assistance and human rights monitoring reporting and advocacy.

Denmark commends UNAMA’s vital work in monitoring and reporting on human rights violations, not least those targeting women and girls. Nowhere is this work more necessary than in Afghanistan, where women and girls continue to be systematically deprived of their most fundamental rights.

Denmark therefore welcomes that the resolution includes updates on recent developments, such as the continued ban on Afghan female UN staff and the decree on the “Criminal Rules of Courts”.

The message is clear: the Taliban must immediately reverse all policies that restrict women from exercising their fundamental rights, including access to education, employment, healthcare, justice and participation in society.

They must also allow UN female staff to return to their workplaces. The UN must be able to carry out its mandate without constraints, and benefit from the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in its work.

While Denmark would have preferred a longer renewal to provide greater predictability for the mission and its staff, this extension nevertheless demonstrates the Council’s continued commitment to the Afghan people and to UNAMA’s presence in Afghanistan.

Looking ahead, it is vital that UNAMA will continue to receive the full and unified support of the Security Council, together with a mandate that enables it to operate effectively, engage all relevant actors, monitor and report on human rights, and assist international efforts to address the urgent needs of the Afghan people.

We look forward to working constructively with Council members to this end.