A private meeting of the United Nations Security Council concerning Afghanistan is anticipated to focus on the selection of a UN special representative for the nation.
Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, is slated to provide a briefing to the council during the session.
Additionally, the meeting will include the reading of a joint statement from eleven countries, including the US, UK, France, Japan, and Switzerland, addressing Afghanistan.
The meeting aligns with Resolution 2721 of December 29, 2023, which, among other provisions, called for the appointment of a Special Envoy for Afghanistan by the Secretary-General following consultations with various stakeholders. It also requested a briefing from the Secretary-General within 60 days on the outcomes of related consultations and discussions.
According to political analyst Wais Naseri, the UN Secretary-General is expected to deliver a comprehensive report on the discussions and outcomes of the recent Doha meeting on Afghanistan.
While the Islamic Emirate noted that the second Doha meeting did not yield definitive outcomes, they expressed optimism about the potential benefits of the UN Security Council meeting, particularly given the presence of Russia and China.
Spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, Zabiullah Mujahid, emphasized the importance of decisions regarding Afghanistan aligning with the interests and will of the Afghan people.
Political analyst Sayed Qaribullah Sadat urged the UN to prioritize Afghanistan’s interests and avoid compromising with specific countries. He expressed hope for more substantial efforts from the UN following the Security Council meeting.
Previously, the UNSC had passed a resolution urging the UN Secretary-General to appoint a special envoy for Afghanistan to implement recommendations outlined in the independent assessment of the UN special coordinator on Afghanistan.
Despite a recent meeting of special representatives and envoys for Afghanistan convened by the UN Secretary-General on February 18-19, the appointment of a special envoy for the country remained pending.
