General Assembly Adopts Resolution Pledging Continued Support for Afghanistan
The General Assembly today adopted a resolution calling on Afghanistan to uphold human rights, adhere to international law and take decisive action against terrorism, amid a worsening humanitarian crisis, rising numbers of returnees and the enduring impact of decades of conflict.
The text titled “The situation in Afghanistan” (document A/79/L.100) was adopted by a recorded vote of 116 in favour to 2 against (Israel, United States), with 12 abstentions, sustaining global attention to the country. The 193-member organ had previously adopted a similar text in 2022. (See Press Release GA/12469 of 10 November 2022.)
By its terms, the Assembly pledged its continued support to the Afghan people in their efforts to rebuild a stable, secure and economically self-sufficient State free of terrorism, illicit narcotics, transnational organized crime and corruption. It also expressed support for their efforts to strengthen the foundations of a constitutional and inclusive Government.
Further, the Assembly expressed “its serious concern about the grave, worsening, widespread and systematic oppression of all women and girls in Afghanistan by the Taliban, which […] has put in place an institutionalized system of discrimination, segregation, disrespect for human dignity and the exclusion of women and girls”, while recalling the obligations of Afghanistan under international law, in particular human rights, refugee and international humanitarian law.
While noting improvements in the overall security conditions in Afghanistan, the Assembly also expressed concern about the continuing violence and the presence of terrorist groups, such as Al-Qaida and Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh).
Broad Support for Germany-facilitated Text
“There is no alternative to engagement with the Taliban,” said Germany’s delegate, introducing the draft. Noting her country’s active contribution to the UN-led Doha Process, she stressed that Berlin remains open for further pragmatic forms of cooperation with the de facto authorities, including on the safe return of Afghan refugees. Underscoring that the edicts imposed by the Taliban against women and girls amount to “a near-total erasure of their rights”, she stated: “To the Afghan mother, holding her sick and underfed child: we see you. […] And to the millions of Afghan women and girls locked up at home: we have not forgotten you.” She then urged support for these messages and for the draft resolution.
Afghanistan’s representative, speaking for the State's former authorities prior to the Taliban takeover, said that, since August 2021, his country has undergone severe deterioration across political, social, economic and human rights sectors under Taliban rule. “The Taliban's policies have entrenched authoritarian control and codified systemic discrimination, particularly against women and girls,” he emphasized. “Afghanistan remains the only country in the world where girls are officially banned from secondary and higher education,” he added.
The adopted resolution strongly emphasizes the need to reverse these discriminatory practices, calls for accountability mechanisms, such as the International Criminal Court, and urges recognition of gender apartheid as a crime under international law, he went on to say. It also underscores that lasting peace requires inclusive, participatory governance reflecting the voices of all Afghans — not just the Taliban. The Taliban “can never be the sole solution by themselves”, he said, adding that they do not represent “the Afghan people or their culture, nor do their policies reflect Islamic values”.
Although attempts at consensus faltered, the text enjoyed broad support.
The representative of the European Union, speaking in its capacity as observer, called for a structured multilateral approach in working towards a viable future for Afghanistan. He cited the UN-led Doha Process as “the only multilateral framework for promoting an inclusive political settlement”. As well, he urged the Taliban to take concrete steps to sever all ties with international terrorist organizations, and to prevent the use of Afghan territory for hosting, financing or exporting terrorism to other countries.
Expressing hope that the draft resolution “will send a strong signal of support to the Afghan people,” Japan’s delegate said the objective is to achieve an Afghanistan at peace with itself and its neighbours, fully reintegrated into the international community and meeting its international obligations. Urging the Taliban to swiftly reverse its repressive policies, he stressed: “This is not solely about human rights; it also severely undermines the potential of Afghanistan’s prosperity.”
As Afghanistan’s close neighbour, Uzbekistan remains deeply concerned by the ongoing humanitarian crisis, natural disasters and economic challenges the country faces, said that country’s delegate. “Further isolation of Afghanistan must not be allowed, as the fate of millions of people is at stake,” he stressed, advocating for open, pragmatic dialogue with Kabul and urging the de facto authorities to uphold human rights, education access and safety for international organizations.
Qatar’s delegate spotlighted his country’s role through the Doha Peace Process, facilitating dialogues that culminated in the 2020 peace agreement between the United States and the Taliban. These efforts have evolved into the UN-led Doha Process, which Qatar continues to host, providing a neutral platform for international engagement with Afghanistan.
“Afghan people [must] remain at the heart of our collective response,” said Algeria’s delegate, warning that — without a viable prospect for employment and sustainable livelihoods — individuals may feel compelled to turn to terrorist organizations as a means of survival.
Pakistan’s representative appreciated the acknowledgment of his country’s role in hosting Afghan refugees, stating that his delegation supported the draft resolution. However, he noted the text’s failure to include several aspects that were critical to reflecting the ground realities in Afghanistan, including not acknowledging the Taliban as “de facto authorities”.
Opposition, Reservations Expressed by Some Delegations
The draft also met with opposition and reservations from several Member States, including the Russian Federation, whose representative requested a vote on the draft. “What we are witnessing here is a hypocritical shifting of responsibility,” she said. What is ignored is the issue of swiftly unfreezing Afghanistan's assets, which are needed for the economic recovery of the country — to build roads, schools and hospitals, and the issue of lifting unprecedented unilateral sanctions. “Because of the biased position favouring one group of countries and open disregard for proposals supported by regional States […] we ended up with an imbalanced document,” she said.
India's delegate said that no new policy instruments have been introduced to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan since August 2021. A business-as-usual approach without new and targeted initiatives is unlikely to deliver the outcomes the international community envisions for the Afghan people. For these reasons, India has decided to abstain on this resolution.
Iran’s delegate said that Tehran’s core concerns were not “adequately reflected” in the final text, emphasizing that Afghanistan’s future must be defined by its own people, in an Afghan-led and -owned process. The text deliberately avoids affirming that pragmatic and realist engagement with the de facto authorities is the only viable means of addressing current challenges, he observed, adding that, without constructive dialogue with those in control, the international community risks diminishing its ability to positively influence events.
China’s delegate called on donors to restore humanitarian aid, warning against politicization. “The countries concerned should immediately lift the illegal unilateral sanctions against Afghanistan, unconditionally unfreeze and return its overseas assets and create conditions for Afghanistan to rebuild its financial system, develop its economy and people's livelihoods,” he stated.
“Nearly four years following the Taliban takeover, we continue the same conversations and engage with the same so-called Taliban officials about improving the situation in Afghanistan without demanding results from them,” said the representative of the United States, who voted against the resolution. He added: “In fact, we have rewarded the Taliban's failure with more engagement and more resources.”
The representative of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) observed that divergent views on how to engage in Afghanistan have led to “a patchwork of humanitarian assistance”. “Many of the children receiving vaccines had never seen a health worker before,” he said, warning that funding is decreasing significantly across the board. “Let us not look away from Afghanistan,” he stated, citing today’s resolution as “a starting place”.
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* The 82nd Meeting was not covered.