Afghanistan: UN Envoy Meets With Officials, Calls for Inclusive Govt

Kabul: Guterres said the UN will continue defending the rights of Afghan girls and women until they are back to school and return to their jobs.

The UN Secretary General Special Representative for Afghanistan, Deborah Lyons, in separate meetings with officials of the Islamic Emirate on Saturday discussed a range of issues, including humanitarian aid, human rights and inclusive government.

Lyons met with PM Deputy Abdul Salam Hanafi, acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and acting Finance Minister Hidayatullah Badri, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said.

In these meetings, Lyons discussed the deepening economic and humanitarian crisis and human rights concerns. Lyons said UNAMA will continue delivering life-saving aid. She also said, “There is a need for inclusive governance and protection of the rights of all Afghans, women and men.”

In the meantime, the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the UN will stay in Afghanistan and will continue to promote and defend the rights of women and girls.

"We will not stop until girls can go back to school, and women can return to their jobs and participate in public life,” Guterres tweeted.

A spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate said the UN envoy in her meetings with the Islamic Emirate officials has discussed humanitarian aid and the problems in Afghanistan’s banking system.

“During the meeting, Ms. Lyons said they had increased the number of staff to deliver humanitarian aid and that she would soon visit the US where she would raise her voice for the resumption of the banking system of Afghanistan,” said Abdul Qahar Balkhi, a foreign ministry spokesman.
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Afghanistan: PM deputy Abdul Salam Hanafi met with the UN envoy to Afghanistan Deborah Lyons today, Zabihullah Mujahid said, and both sides discussed Afghanistan’s situation, humanitarian aid and the country’s banking system.