S/PV.6500 Security Council

There were 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 1974 (2011). I now give the floor to the Permanent Representative of Afghanistan.

Let me begin by thanking you, Sir, for convening today’s meeting, at which the Council has adopted resolution 1974 (2011), extending the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan for an additional 12 months. Afghanistan welcomes the adoption of today’s resolution as an important step towards strengthening our partnership with the United Nations and the international community. The United Nations offers a vital contribution in the effort to achieve peace, security and stability in Afghanistan. For this, the people and Government of Afghanistan are grateful. The resolution adopted today is important for several reasons. It signifies the United Nations continuing commitment to supporting the people and Government of Afghanistan. The resolution underscores Afghan ownership and leadership, and calls for a more focused United Nations approach that is in line with the transition to Afghan ownership and leadership and seeks to streamline the activities of the United Nations and the United Nations family towards a One United Nations, in conformity with Afghanistan’s national priority programmes. We also welcome the review of the United Nations mandate and support before the end of the year. We look forward to the review as an important measure for furthering the effectiveness of the United Nations role in Afghanistan. As Afghanistan embarks on the process of transition, the role of the United Nations will remain crucial in the years to come. We attach great importance to our partnership with the United Nations and other international partners, whose steadfast commitment and contributions have helped us come this far. We look forward to strengthening this partnership to realize our shared goal of peace in Afghanistan through the transition and beyond. I thank Council members for their contribution to the resolution just adopted. I also wish to extend our appreciation to the delegation of Germany and Ambassador Peter Wittig and his colleagues for facilitating the negotiations on the resolution.

The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.