The UN Security Council unanimously agreed on Friday to extend the UN mandate in Afghanistan for a further year.
Resolution 2727, which won the unanimous support of the 15-member council, decides to extend UNAMA’s mandate till March 17, 2025.
The resolution stresses the critical importance of a continued presence of UNAMA and other UN agencies, funds and programs across Afghanistan. It calls on all relevant Afghan political actors and stakeholders as well as international actors to coordinate with UNAMA in the implementation of its mandate and to ensure the safety, security and freedom of movement of UN and associated personnel throughout the country.
Speaking after the vote, the representative of Japan — Council President for March — said that the Mission’s presence is indispensable as the international community seeks to deepen engagement and build confidence with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), and it sends a strong message to the people of Afghanistan that the United Nations “will continue to work tirelessly for them.”
Similarly, Linda Thomas-Greenfield the representative of the United States, said that, by extending UNAMA’s mandate, the Council has enabled the United Nations to continue addressing the international community’s priorities in Afghanistan, promoting peace and stability and facilitating dialogue among all national political actors.
She underscored, however, the need to support efforts to restore the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Afghans — particularly women and girls.
Zhang Jun, the representative of China, meanwhile, expressed regret that the resolution failed to reflect the latest developments in Afghanistan, stating that — over two years after the withdrawal of foreign troops — the country’s overall domestic situation is stable.