Statement by the delegation of Ukraine at the UNSC debate on the situation in Afghanistan

Mr. President,

I would like to thank Special Representative Tadamichi Yamamoto for his briefing, as well as to express our full support for the important role played by UNAMA and all UN agencies in supporting Afghanistan and coordinating the international community's assistance to this country.

Our special thanks go to Dr. Sima Samar, the first woman to brief the Security Council on Afghanistan.

While Ukraine aligns itself with the statement of the European Union to be delivered later today, I would like to raise several points in my national capacity.

We remain committed to supporting the Afghan-owned and Afghan-led national reconciliation process aimed at bringing lasting peace to Afghanistan.

We commend the efforts of the Government of Afghanistan and its international partners in creating conducive environment to overcome stalemate in peace negotiations and reach a sustainable resolution for the decades-long conflict in this country.

Yet, there can be no tangible progress towards stabilization without the readiness of other regional players to exert influence on Taliban leaders by denying them shelter, forcing this terrorist group to renounce aggression against Afghanistan.

As reported by UNAMA, the situation remains tense with Taliban, Al-Qaeda, ISIL and their affiliates continue to maintain their presence in certain parts of Afghanistan. Their armed assaults and recurring suicide attacks continue to claim high death toll and have an adverse impact on country’s political, economic and security situation.

We are about the acts of violence and attacks against diplomatic missions and their personnel as well as humanitarian and medical facilities that impede international aid efforts.

We are also alarmed by the continued flagrant violations of human rights, maltreatment of civilian population, summary executions, deliberate abuses and continuing discrimination against women and girls, as well as the use of child soldiers on the territories under Taliban and other terrorist groups’ control.

In this regard, putting current Taliban leadership under increased pressure gains additional importance. We believe that it can be an effective tool in persuading them to earnestly participate in peace negotiations.

A successful example of such practice is a peace deal signed with Hezb-i-Islami, which greatly contributed to the restoration of normal life in the territories under control of this group. We call on the Government of Afghanistan to continue the implementation of this agreement in order to build upon achieved results.

We also commend the Afghan Government for implementing its commitments to fight corruption, which hinders country’s development, promoting good governance, rule of law and human rights, continuing electoral reform, strengthening the coordination between security forces and law enforcement agencies to ensure that they can effectively tackle existing security threats.

Cooperation with relevant international financial and trade organizations, as well as regional fora such as the Heart of Asia or the Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan should continue so as to further the implementation of the Government's economic reform agenda.

The implementation of the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security is also of paramount importance for the sake of creating a stable future for the country through eradication of gender-based violence and elevation of women as full and equal partners.

We also consider that women’s voices have to be included in peace and security decision-making, particularly given the sustained violence against Afghan women leaders and human rights defenders.

We ask UNAMA to support the efforts of the Government of Afghanistan in promoting above mentioned standards while fulfilling respective National Action Plan.

I thank you.