S/PV.10121 Security Council

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2026/99, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security. Members of the Council have before them document S/2026/170, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by China. The Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now. A vote was taken by show of hands. In favour: Bahrain, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, France, Greece, Latvia, Liberia, Pakistan, Panama, Russian Federation, Somalia, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America

The draft resolution received 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 2818 (2026). I now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements after the vote.

The Security Council just unanimously adopted a resolution extending the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for three months (resolution 2818 (2026)). As the penholder, China thanks Council members for their support and cooperation. At present, Afghanistan faces multiple challenges. It is imperative that the Afghan Government and the international community maintain communication, move towards each other, gradually address each other's legitimate concerns and help Afghanistan to achieve lasting stability, development and prosperity. UNAMA plays an indispensable role in this regard. China commends the efforts made by UNAMA and supports the Mission in better fulfilling its duties and responsibilities. I would like to highlight the following points in the light of the resolution. First, the resolution reaffirms strong support for the work of UNAMA, emphasizes the critical importance of UNAMA and other United Nations agencies continuing to carry out their duties in Afghanistan and calls for ensuring the safety, security and freedom of movement of the United Nations and its personnel throughout Afghanistan. We called on the Afghan Government to lift the ban on female Afghan United Nations staff members entering office premises as soon as possible and to provide the necessary facilitation for United Nations agencies to carry out their work in Afghanistan. The resolution also requests the Secretary-General, in consultation with Council members, to appoint a new Special Representative of the Secretary- General in a timely manner. China hopes that the appointment will receive broad support from all parties, including the Afghan Government, thereby injecting new momentum into international cooperation on Afghanistan. Secondly, the resolution reiterates serious concerns about the economic and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and emphasizes the need to strengthen humanitarian assistance and to support Afghanistan's development needs. We call on traditional donors, in particular those countries that bear historical responsibility towards Afghanistan, to resume and increase their aid to Afghanistan as soon as possible. The resolution specifically notes the need to assist Afghanistan in restoring its banking and financial systems and to ensure that the assets of the Afghan Central Bank are used for the welfare of the Afghan people. We call on the relevant countries to unfreeze and return the assets of the Afghan Central Bank and hope that UNAMA will play a greater role in this regard. Thirdly, the resolution expresses grave concern about the continued erosion of the fundamental rights of Afghan women and girls and calls for the repeal of the relevant restrictive policies and for the guarantee of equal rights for women in all areas, including education, healthcare, employment and public life. We hope that the Afghan Government will act in the fundamental interests of its people and enable Afghan women and girls to truly become beneficiaries of and builders and contributors to the country’s development and revitalization, thereby creating favourable conditions for Afghanistan’s further integration into the international community. Fourthly, the resolution emphasizes that the terrorist organizations operating in Afghanistan remain a threat to international peace and security and that Afghan territory must not be used to harbour or support any form of terrorist activity. We urge the Afghan Government to take more resolute and robust measures, in accordance with Security Council resolutions, to combat all terrorist activities, including those carried out by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant-Khorasan, Al-Qaida, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan and the Baloch Liberation Army. The resolution also expresses deep concern with regard to the continuing civilian casualties caused by explosive remnants of war in Afghanistan and calls on the international community to provide greater support for mine- clearance projects in the country. Although the Security Council did not, as is customary, extend UNAMA’s mandate by one year on this occasion, this in no way implies any wavering in its support for UNAMA and the Afghan people. Considering the desire of some Council members to make appropriate adjustments to UNAMA’s mandate, the Council has decided to extend the mandate by three months to ensure sufficient time for serious discussion and the adoption of a responsible decision. China is willing to listen extensively to the views of all parties over the next three months to help Security Council members build consensus and reach agreement. At the same time, I would like to emphasize that the aim of adjusting the mandate is to strengthen, rather than weaken, the role of the Mission, in order to better advance a political solution to the Afghan issue and help Afghanistan achieve stability and development. China stands ready to work with all parties to make active efforts to this end.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the three African members of the Security Council (A3), namely Liberia, Somalia and my own country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The A3 voted in favour of the resolution renewing the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) (resolution 2818 (2026)). We welcome the constructive spirit demonstrated by Council members throughout the negotiations and commend the penholders for their efforts in facilitating consensus. While we note this is a three-month renewal, the A3 looks forward to the full renewal of the UNAMA mandate in June. The renewal of UNAMA’s mandate reflects the Council’s continued commitment to supporting the people of Afghanistan and addressing the country’s complex humanitarian, economic and security challenges. The A3 reiterates its support for the critical role of UNAMA and its continued presence on the ground. The Mission remains an important platform for coordinating international engagement and assistance, as well as for supporting efforts aimed at promoting stability and sustainable development in Afghanistan. The A3 recognizes the importance of respect for the fundamental rights and freedoms of all Afghans, including women and girls. Their full, equal and meaningful participation in society will enable Afghanistan’s long-term stability and development. We also emphasize the importance of enabling UNAMA to carry out its mandate effectively, including through safe and unhindered access for United Nations personnel and partners. In conclusion, the A3 reaffirms its commitment to working with Council members and international partners to support efforts aimed at promoting peace, security, stability and development in Afghanistan.

The Russian Federation voted today in favour of the resolution extending the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) by three months (resolution 2818 (2026)). We welcome the efforts undertaken by the Chinese penholders of the Afghan dossier to find compromise solutions. The result is a collective product that stresses support for the Afghan people in building a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan, free from terrorism and drugs. Crucially, UNAMA’s mandate remains unchanged, which will allow the Mission to continue its activities in Afghanistan in full, in particular against the backdrop of the tense situation in the region. We expect that UNAMA will devote equal attention to fulfilling its political and humanitarian-economic tasks. It is encouraging that this time the text includes elements aimed at the country’s economic development, which should lay the foundation for the self-reliance of the Afghan State. We would like to draw particular attention to the call in the resolution for the Secretary-General to appoint a new head of UNAMA in a timely manner. We trust that, in seeking the most suitable candidate, he will consult not only with Security Council members but also take into account the views of the Afghan authorities themselves. Ultimately, the effective implementation of the Mission’s mandate will depend on their consent. Today’s decision by the Security Council is not only an expression of support for UNAMA but also sends a clear signal to the people of Afghanistan regarding the international community’s commitment to establishing peace and stability in this long-suffering country. At the same time, we stress the importance of the predictable functioning of UNAMA and the inadequacy of a three-month extension of its mandate in that regard. It has been and remains imperative to maintain the Mission’s pragmatic engagement with the Afghan authorities to discuss all issues, in strict compliance with the tasks entrusted to it. Of paramount importance in this regard is UNAMA’s ability to fulfil its responsibilities in coordinating international humanitarian assistance to the country and providing support, first and foremost, to the most vulnerable segments of the population. This is particularly important given the unresolved issue of frozen assets and unprecedented unilateral sanctions. We are convinced that building long-term peace in Afghanistan is impossible without a realistic approach aimed at the country’s subsequent international reintegration. The basis of such reintegration is an objective and balanced assessment and patient dialogue with the Afghan authorities. There is no alternative to this path, nor will there ever be one. The successful fulfilment of UNAMA’s mandate depends on this.

Pakistan has voted in favour of the resolution just adopted (resolution 2818 (2026)), extending the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) by three months. Pakistan supports UNAMA in promoting peace, security and stability in Afghanistan, which confronts multiple challenges, in particular the increasing threat of terrorism, human rights violations, narcotics trafficking and diminishing humanitarian aid. We commend China for its sterling role as penholder and for its sincere efforts to forge consensus by taking on board the concerns of all Council members. We welcome the unanimous adoption of this resolution. Pakistan has consistently asserted that foremost among the challenges faced in Afghanistan are the deteriorating security situation and the exponential rise in the threat of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan. Elements within the Taliban regime are not merely providing a permissive environment, but are actively collaborating with several terrorist groups, such as Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan, the Baloch Liberation Army and its Majeed Brigade, Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant-Khorasan, Al- Qaida and the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, operating with impunity inside Afghanistan and responsible for cross-border attacks against Pakistani civilians and law enforcement personnel targeting critical infrastructure and public places. Through this resolution, the Council has expressed serious concern about the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan, which, “continue to constitute a threat to international peace and security”. It has called on the Taliban, “to take active, immediate, demonstrable and concrete measures to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, wherever and by whomever committed”. Through this resolution, the Council also outlines its expectations to strengthen the safe and secure management of weapons and ammunition to prevent their diversion to terrorist groups. As mandated, UNAMA has a responsibility to effectively monitor and analyse the security dynamics across the country by developing a better understanding of the illicit economy, supporting efforts to prevent and address the illicit trade and destabilizing the accumulation of small arms and light weapons and their diversion in Afghanistan and the region, and supporting efforts to create conditions conducive to the reintegration of the refugee population in Afghanistan. We must also remain cautious of disinformation advanced by local Taliban elements who continue to create obstacles for access to UNAMA personnel across the country. At the same time, we hope that UNAMA will report objectively about the security developments on the ground by taking into account the legitimate security concerns and expectations of Afghanistan’s immediate neighbours, who are faced with serious threats from Afghan soil. Finally, we hope that the next three months will allow us to review UNAMA’s role in Afghanistan in a manner that will help us achieve the long-term goals of peace and stability in an Afghanistan that is at peace with itself and its neighbours.

At the outset, the Kingdom of Bahrain would like to thank the People’s Republic of China, as the penholder, for its efforts to prepare resolution 2818 (2026), on renewing the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). We also thank China for consulting with the members of the Council to reach a consensual draft that would guarantee the continuation of the Mission’s work. The Kingdom of Bahrain voted in favour of this resolution, on renewing the mandate for three additional months, because we believe that it is important for UNAMA to continue to carry out its functions during this period, given its critical role in coordinating international efforts on Afghanistan, and to support the response to the political, security and economic developments in the country. The Kingdom of Bahrain believes that this renewal will allow the members of the Security Council to strengthen their support to UNAMA so that we can back its work and enable it to carry out its functions effectively and continue to support the Afghan people and meet their basic needs so as to guarantee the effective implementation of its mandate. The Kingdom of Bahrain stresses the need for continued international efforts to support security and stability in Afghanistan so as to enable it to preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity and meet the aspirations of the Afghan people for peace, development and prosperity.

France welcomes the three- month renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and thanks China for its efforts towards the adoption of resolution 2818 (2026). France reiterates its full support for UNAMA. Its work on the ground, for the benefit of the Afghan people, is indispensable. In accordance with the mandate entrusted to it by the Council, the Mission coordinates the delivery of humanitarian aid throughout the country. It is also tasked with facilitating political dialogue among all Afghan stakeholders and with protecting and promoting human rights. Since seizing power by force nearly five years ago, the Taliban have been violating their international obligations and imposing a policy of systematic persecution against women and girls. In this context, UNAMA must continue to implement all aspects of its mandate. The Council must not abandon the Afghan people. We must remain committed to ensuring compliance with the resolutions setting out the international community’s expectations of the Taliban. We hope that the discussions to be held in the coming months will enable the Council to reach a consensus on the permanent renewal of the Mission’s mandate. We owe it to the Afghan people.

We thank the penholder of China for its dedicated and constructive approach to ensuring that this important mandate continues. Let me also take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the staff of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). Their dedication and hard work are invaluable and should not be taken for granted. Latvia fully supports the renewal of UNAMA’s mandate and voted in favour of its extension for three months (resolution 2818 (2026)), although our strong preference was to extend the existing mandate for one year. The current human rights mandate of UNAMA is comprehensive and robust. We especially value the role of UNAMA in defending women’s and girls’ rights and engagement with Afghan women’s organizations. UNAMA’s work in monitoring and reporting on human rights violations, including on violations and abuses against children, is crucial at a time when women and girls have lost almost all of their basic rights and freedoms since the Taliban took control. Judicially sanctioned corporal punishment, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, attacks on the media and civil society, and discrimination of ethnic and religious minorities are only some of the widespread abuses carried out under Taliban rule. UNAMA is also uniquely positioned as the main United Nations actor providing outreach and political good offices on the ground and facilitating dialogue between all relevant Afghan political actors and stakeholders. Its role in coordinating and facilitating humanitarian assistance is essential, as is the promotion of responsible governance and the rule of law. Latvia has no doubt that a continued strong United Nations field presence in Afghanistan is vital. The coming three months will allow the Council to thoroughly reassess the mandate of the Mission, but let us be absolutely clear: we remain committed to ensuring that UNAMA has a strong, credible and robust mandate.

Greece welcomes the adoption of resolution 2818 (2026) and thanks the penholder, China, for its work. Greece voted in favour of the resolution, reiterating our unwavering support to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and its mandate in its entirety. In this regard, we echo the support for the swift appointment of a new Special Representative of the Secretary-General to head UNAMA. Greece appreciates UNAMA’s invaluable contribution to the coordination of humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan, the promotion of human rights and the rule of law, as well as the good offices it provides to facilitate dialogue between the international community and the Taliban. UNAMA’s role is particularly important given the violations of human rights, especially women’s rights, in Afghanistan, culminating in the ban on education for girls beyond the sixth grade and the ban on Afghan women United Nations employees for accessing United Nations premises. Greece reiterates its condemnation of these practices and calls on the Taliban to immediately reverse them. At the same time, the present mandate highlights the importance of concrete measures and strengthened efforts that the Taliban need to undertake immediately to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, the need for disaster risk reduction to address the impacts of natural disasters, such as floods, droughts and heat waves, and the frequent level of civilian casualties, particularly children, from explosive ordnance — incidents pointing to the need to support the mine action programme in Afghanistan. We remain committed to working with our fellow Security Council members for the continuation and the retention of UNAMA’s strong mandate also beyond June 2026.

I also extend our gratitude to China for their work as penholder on this text. The United Kingdom is pleased the Council has unanimously agreed the renewal of the important mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). This includes new language calling on the Taliban to reverse its latest restrictions against women and girls, including the decree on the criminal rules of courts and the ongoing ban on Afghan women accessing United Nations premises. We reiterate our call on the Taliban to heed the Council’s collective demands. As Deputy Special Representative Gagnon set out last week (see S/PV.10116), UNAMA is continuing its vital work to coordinate and facilitate humanitarian efforts, promote the rights of all Afghans, including women and girls, and advance a political pathway to help achieve an Afghanistan at peace with itself and its neighbours and meeting its international obligations. We commend UNAMA’s unwavering persistence within an increasingly complex context and despite the Taliban’s ongoing intransigence. While the Taliban’s repression and restrictions on women and girls continue, the United Kingdom will remain steadfast in our support for the retention of UNAMA’s important human rights functions, including and in particular the promotion of gender equality and the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women in all levels and stages of decision-making. Over the next three months we look forward to working together with all Council members to agree the scope of UNAMA’s future mandate and to ensure the United Nations’ continued presence on the ground.

Panama thanks the Chinese delegation for its leadership and impartiality during the drafting of this resolution (resolution 2818 (2026)). Panama voted in favour of this resolution because we believe that the United Nations presence in Afghanistan remains essential, particularly at this time and under the current circumstances. That said, we cannot ignore the fact that reducing the mandate renewal period from one year to three months could be misinterpreted as casting doubt on the Mission’s role and stability. It is therefore essential that the Council provide as much clarity as possible regarding the scope and objectives of any proposed review, given that the need for a timely review is being given as the justification for reducing the extension period from one year to three months. Furthermore, this decision could introduce a degree of uncertainty for Mission staff who are carrying out their duties in conditions that are already complex. If the Council has decided to allow time for a review of the mandate, it is important that this discussion take place transparently and within a reasonable time frame. It is essential that the elements to be reviewed be identified as soon as possible, so as to reduce uncertainty and preserve the Mission’s operational capacity. In an increasingly fragile regional context and in the face of persistent challenges relating to terrorism, the humanitarian crisis and the human rights situation, in particular the rights of women and girls, UNAMA’s work remains indispensable. We therefore reiterate our call on the Taliban to lift the restrictions preventing Afghan women from working at United Nations premises, a measure that is incompatible with the Organization and that limits the Mission’s ability to fulfil its mandate. The Mission plays a central role not only in facilitating political dialogue with the de facto authorities but also in keeping the international community properly informed about developments in the country. We hope that the appointment of the Secretary-General’s new Special Representative can be finalized as soon as possible so that the Mission can continue its work. The United Nations cannot afford to miss the few opportunities available to make progress across the Organization’s three pillars: international peace and security, human rights and development. Panama fully supports efforts to modernize the work of the Council and the United Nations system. However, any review must be grounded in the reality on the ground, particularly in a context as challenging as that of Afghanistan. The world outside these walls is changing rapidly. We must adapt to that reality. However, respect for the Organization’s fundamental principles must remain non negotiable.

We also thank the penholder, China, for their efforts. Denmark voted in favour of today’s resolution (resolution 2818 (2026)) to renew the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and ensure its continued presence on the ground. Afghanistan continues to confront a profound humanitarian and human rights crisis, with women and girls, minorities and other vulnerable groups bearing the heaviest burden. In this challenging context, UNAMA remains indispensable. Its mandate is essential for providing information and analysis about the situation in Afghanistan, for maintaining dialogue with the Taliban and for coordinating international efforts, including humanitarian assistance and human rights monitoring, reporting and advocacy. Denmark commends UNAMA’s vital work in monitoring and reporting on human rights violations, not least those targeting women and girls. Nowhere is this work more necessary than in Afghanistan, where women and girls continue to be systematically deprived of their most fundamental rights. Denmark therefore welcomes the fact that the resolution includes updates on recent developments, such as the continued ban on Afghan female United Nations staff and the decree on the criminal rules of courts. The message is clear. The Taliban must immediately reverse all policies that restrict women from exercising their fundamental rights, including access to education, employment, healthcare, justice and participation in society. They must also allow United Nations female staff to return to their workplaces. The United Nations must be able to carry out its mandate without constraints and benefit from the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in its work. While Denmark would have preferred a longer renewal to provide greater predictability for the Mission and its staff, this extension nevertheless demonstrates the Council’s continued commitment to the Afghan people and to UNAMA’s presence in Afghanistan. Looking ahead, it is vital that UNAMA continue to receive the full and unified support of the Security Council, together with a mandate that enables it to operate effectively, engage with all relevant actors, monitor and report on human rights and assist international efforts to address the urgent needs of the Afghan people. We look forward to working constructively with Council members to this end.

Let me begin by thanking China, in its capacity as penholder, for steering the negotiations and presenting a balanced text that enabled us to reach a consensus on the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). My delegation regrets that the renewal of the mandate was not for a period of 12 months, as preferred by the majority of Council members. Colombia remains willing to discuss UNAMA’s tasks constructively in the coming months, reinforcing our commitment to and support for its work and responding to the needs of the Afghan population. Among those tasks, I highlight in particular UNAMA’s role in facilitating dialogue and good offices, monitoring and promoting human rights, promoting resilience and economic stability and helping to coordinate the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Colombia reiterates its deep concern about the human rights situation in Afghanistan, particularly because of the systematic restrictions that continue to affect women and girls. The exclusion of women from public life, education and employment constitutes a serious violation of their fundamental rights and undermines the foundations of a just and inclusive society. Persisting gender-based violence fuels cycles of violence and exclusion, limits women’s full participation in social, economic and political life and hinders efforts to build sustainable peace and strengthen social cohesion. Precisely for that reason, it is essential for UNAMA to continue to carry out its mandate fully, including monitoring and promoting human rights and supporting efforts aimed at inclusive governance. Lastly, I would also like to highlight the central work carried out by UNAMA in coordinating humanitarian assistance. The growing humanitarian needs of the Afghan people underscore the urgency of continuing to advocate for funding that responds to their current needs. Colombia reiterates its support for the continuity of the work of UNAMA and the United Nations system in Afghanistan; their work is essential to supporting the Afghan people faced with the multidimensional crisis afflicting the country.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of the United States of America. The United States expresses appreciation to the penholder and our other fellow Security Council members for their constructive dialogue in renewing this mandate. As we heard from the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) leadership last week (see S/PV.10116), the Taliban continue to prevent Afghan female staff from entering United Nations premises across the country.  This and other constraints impede UNAMA’s ability to address the humanitarian and economic crises that the Taliban’s own policies continue to inflict on the people of Afghanistan. By extending UNAMA’s mandate for three months today, the Council has the opportunity to ensure that UNAMA will be fit for purpose, including giving due consideration to the funds that we collectively provide for the Mission’s budget. We recognize that UNAMA’s dedicated staff is doing important work under difficult and often dangerous conditions. This includes UNAMA’s valuable reporting, which informs the Council’s decisions on Afghanistan, as well as its efforts to help address the widespread humanitarian crisis and promote peace through dialogue. We look forward to working with other Council members between now and 17 June to find ways to streamline the Mission’s mandate, remove functions that duplicate other efforts or cannot be carried out in the current environment and ensure that UNAMA is mandated to carry out activities that contribute directly to advancing peace and security in Afghanistan and the region. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers.