Security Council, Adopting Resolution 2189 (2014), Welcomes NATO-Afghan Government Agreement to Establish Post-2014 Non-Combat Mission

Underscoring the importance of continued international support for Afghanistan, the Security Council today welcomed the agreement between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Afghan Government to establish a post‑2014 non-combat mission in that country to aid national defence and security forces.

Through the unanimous adoption of resolution 2189 (2014), the 15-nation body looked forward to the new mission’s leadership in working with the Afghan Government and cooperating with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General.

The text noted that the bilateral Status of Forces Agreement between NATO and Afghanistan, signed on 30 September and ratified by the Afghan Parliament on 27 November of this year, provided a sound legal basis for the Resolute Support Mission, which would train, advise and assist national forces after the withdrawal of the International Security Assistance Force on 31 December.

Also by the text, the Council affirmed its readiness to revisit the resolution in the context of its consideration of the situation in that country.

Following the adoption, Zahir Tanin, Afghanistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, noted that in just 29 days, Afghan National Defence and Security Forces would assume “full responsibility” for the security of the country. 

“At this crucial juncture in our history, this resolution signifies the necessity of enduring and long-term support for Afghanistan,” he said, expressing gratitude to NATO and international partners for their commitment to support Afghan security forces.

The country, however, faced challenges ahead, he said, citing continued terror attacks by Al-Qaida and the Taliban.  Just yesterday, a suicide bomber attacked a French school in Kabul, killing civilians and injuring 15, and a few weeks ago, a suicide bomber attacked a crowd watching a volleyball match in Paktika province, killing over 50 people.  The unity Government understood that peace and stability could not be achieved through security measures alone, and to that end, it was embarking upon an ambitious reform agenda, he said.

The meeting began at 11:40 a.m. and ended at 11:45 a.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 2189 (2014) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Afghanistan,

“Recognizing Afghanistan’s gains since the fall of the Taliban in 2001, in particular on democracy, governance, institution building, economic development and human rights,

“Condemning the ongoing violent and terrorist activities by the Taliban, Al‑Qaida and other violent and extremist groups, illegal armed groups, criminals and those involved in the production, trafficking or trade of illicit drugs,

“Reaffirming the importance of sustainable progress on security, development, human rights, in particular for women and children, democracy, governance, the fight against corruption, economic development, taking all appropriate measures to ensure the protection of civilians and of addressing the cross-cutting issue of counter-narcotics,

“Underscoring the importance of continued international support for Afghanistan, and in this regard, welcoming and emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation on Afghanistan, as well as the process by which Afghanistan and its regional and international partners are entering into long-term strategic partnership and other agreements, aimed at achieving a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan,

“Emphasizing the important role that the United Nations continues to play in support of Afghanistan’s full assumption of leadership and ownership in the areas of security, governance and development, welcoming, in this regard, the continued role the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan and noting that the Secretary-General reports to the Security Council every three months on developments in Afghanistan,

“Acknowledging the contribution of Afghanistan’s partners to peace and security in Afghanistan,

“Welcoming the increased capacities and capabilities of the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces, looking forward to the completion of security transition at the end of 2014, after which Afghan authorities will assume full responsibility for security, noting the conclusion of the International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) at the end of 2014, and underscoring the importance of sustained international support to continue building the capacities and capabilities of the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces,

“Taking note of the Secretary-General’s letter of 28 November 2014 (S/2014/856) transmitting the final report on ISAF operations in Afghanistan,

“Underlining the significance of the Lisbon, Bonn and Chicago Declarations on Afghanistan, which stressed the long-term commitment, beyond 2014, to lasting peace, security and stability in Afghanistan,

“Underlining the significance of the NATO Wales Summit Declaration on Afghanistan of 5 September 2014, which outlined the role of NATO and contributing partners in supporting lasting peace, security and stability in Afghanistan beyond 2014, including the non-combat Resolute Support Mission to train, advise, and assist the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces, the contribution to the financial sustainment of the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces, and the long-term NATO-Afghanistan Enduring Partnership,

“Noting the signing of the Security and Defence Cooperation Agreement between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (Bilateral Security Agreement) on 30 September 2014, and welcoming the signing of the Status of Forces Agreement between the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and NATO on 30 September 2014 and as ratified by the Parliament of Afghanistan on 27 November 2014,

“Noting that the bilateral agreement between NATO and Afghanistan and the invitation of the Government of Afghanistan to NATO to establish Resolute Support Mission provide a sound legal basis for Resolute Support Mission,

“1.   Underscores the importance of continued international support for the stabilization of the situation in Afghanistan and of further enhancing the capabilities and capacities of the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces in order for them to maintain security and stability throughout the country, and in this regard, welcomes the agreement between NATO and Afghanistan to establish the post-2014 non-combat Resolute Support Mission, which will train, advise and assist the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces at the invitation of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan;

“2.   Looks forward to the leadership of Resolute Support Mission working with the Government of Afghanistan and in close coordination and cooperation, where relevant, with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan;

“3.   Welcomes the commitment of the international community to continue providing substantial support to the Afghan Government and people, and notes in this regard the long-term NATO-Afghanistan Enduring Partnership, Afghanistan’s bilateral Strategic Partnership Agreements and other bilateral agreements with other countries;

“4.   Affirms its readiness to revisit this resolution in the context of the Council’s consideration of the situation in Afghanistan.”