Remarks by Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of China’s Permanent Mission to the UN Ambassador Sun Lei at the UN Security Council Briefing on the Situation in Afghanistan
President,
I thank Deputy Special Representative Georgette Gagnon and Ms. Nargis Nehan for their briefings. Over the past five years, with the active efforts of the Afghan government, the situation in Afghanistan has remained generally stable, with positive progress in areas such as economic reconstruction, combating narcotics and external engagement, among others. At the same time, Afghanistan is still faced with complex challenges in the areas of humanitarian situation, development, women's rights and counterterrorism, among others. The international community should view the situation in Afghanistan in a comprehensive and objective manner, take integrated measures and play a constructive role in helping Afghanistan realize lasting peace and stability at an early date. I wish to stress a few points.
First, engagement and dialogue should continue to be strengthened. All parties should cherish the outcomes of engagement and dialogue with the Afghan government, show good faith and stay patient. On the basis of respecting Afghanistan's national conditions and stage of development, we should enhance pragmatic communication with Afghanistan on issues of mutual concern, constantly enhance mutual trust and address differences, and help Afghanistan gradually integrate into the international community. China supports regional platforms such as the foreign ministers' meeting among the neighboring countries of Afghanistan and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, together with the Doha Process, in forming greater synergies in stabilizing and helping Afghanistan. The Security Council should resume as soon as possible the package arrangements for travel ban exemptions under the 1988 sanctions regime, to provide necessary facilitation for international engagement. We welcome the appointment of USG Rabab Fatima as SRSG for Afghanistan and support UNAMA in playing a better role as a bridge for communication and in fully and effectively implementing all its mandates.
Second, we must support Afghanistan in improving livelihoods. At present, nearly half of the Afghan population needs humanitarian assistance. One-third of the people are facing acute food insecurity, and 3.7 million children under the age of five and 1.2 million pregnant and breastfeeding women are acutely malnourished. Yet only 30% of this year's humanitarian funding for the country is in place due to sharp declines in external aid. Large numbers of assistance programs have been forced to close, which, combined with other factors such as returning refugees and natural disasters, will likely make the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan even worse. We call on all parties, in particular traditional donors, to take urgent action to promptly fill the funding gap and avoid politicizing humanitarian issues. It must be stressed that development is the fundamental path for Afghanistan to overcome the humanitarian crisis and its dependence on foreign aid. We commend the efforts of UN agencies such as OCHA, UNDP, UNHCR and other UN agencies, and expect the two working groups on the private sector and counter-narcotics under the Doha Process to achieve more practical outcomes. Relevant countries should effectively bear their historical responsibilities by immediately resuming aid to Afghanistan, lifting unilateral sanctions on the country, promptly returning overseas assets of the Afghan central bank, and providing necessary resources for Afghanistan's reconstruction and development.
Third, the fundamental rights and interests of the people must be safeguarded. Reports by the UN have pointed out repeatedly that the restrictive policies facing Afghan women and girls in education, employment, health care and public life not only affect the physical and mental health of women, but also undermine social stability and development prospects, hindering Afghanistan from gaining greater international support. According to UNICEF, restrictions on women's education and employment cost Afghanistan's economy at least $84 million annually. We call upon the Afghan government to prioritize the long-term development of the country and the fundamental interests of the people, effectively guarantee the fundamental rights and interests of all Afghans, including Afghan women, so that they will have an opportunity to contribute to developing and building the country. Afghan female UN staff have played an indispensable role in humanitarian assistance and other efforts. We call upon the Afghan government to lift the restrictions on their ability to fulfill their mandates without delay, and provide due facilitation for the work of UN agencies.
Fourth, terrorism must be resolutely eradicated. Terrorism is the common enemy of humanity. ISIS, Al-Qaida, ETIM and TTP, among others, are terrorist organizations listed by the Security Council. All countries have the obligation to firmly combat them, and there should be no room for ambiguity. We take note of Afghanistan's efforts to combat ISIS-K and urge Afghanistan to demonstrate greater resolve and make greater efforts to eradicate all terrorist forces within its borders at an early date, and to respond in a concrete manner to the common concerns of the international community. We also expect Afghanistan to engage actively in dialogue and cooperation on counterterrorism with countries in the region, constantly enhance strategic mutual trust and jointly safeguard regional security.
As a friendly neighbor of Afghanistan, China stands ready to continue working with the international community in tireless efforts in support of Afghanistan's peace, stability, development and prosperity.
I thank you, President.
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