Statement at Arria-Formula Meeting on Preventing Economic Collapse in Afghanistan

I thank the delegation of the Russian Federation for convening this meeting. We welcome its implicit recognition that economic recovery and development are an integral part of conflict management.

I also thank all the briefers for their insights.

The Security Council has followed closely the situation in Afghanistan. It has held over 10 formal meeting, issued 14 press statements and adopted 5 resolutions. This includes resolution 2615(2021) that established humanitarian exemptions in the UN sanctions against the Taliban.

Notably, these, and other efforts by the General Assembly as well as bilateral and multilateral partners, have mainly focused on humanitarian assistance. But while emergency humanitarian assistance is critical, it is grossly insufficient given the daunting economic challenges the country faces.

Here, Mr. Chairman, we must acknowledge that economic performance is tied to both external and internal dynamics. The global economy's challenges are well documented and complicate Afghanistan's recovery, as it does other countries.

Internally, the nature and competence of government is key to economic policy. Especially given Afghanistan's lengthy dependence on external aid — and therefore external assessments of its governance — for its economic development. In this respect, the Taliban must take responsibility.

It should strongly consider embracing an inclusive governance system that ensures that scarce national resources are competently directed to appropriate developmental programmes.

It should also integrate all citizens in the national economy without discrimination based on gender, age, religion or ethnicity. Specifically, the policies and proclamations against girls and women should be reversed. Education for all, and in particular girls and women, is the key to the long-term improvement of Afghan livelihoods. No country can thrive shutting out women, half of their population, from meaningful and empowered economic participation.

Investment into the Afghan economy will continue to lag provided the Taliban is unreconstructed in its extremist ideological orientation. In addition, the reports of the continued presence of Al Qaeda in areas controlled by the Taliban discourages investing in the country and creates additional barriers for those in Afghanistan that wish to conduct business with the international community. The Taliban needs to be clear about its associations and who it gives safe haven, if it wants to do business with the International Community.

Mr Chairman,

The Taliban are the de facto authority in Afghanistan. If it takes positive steps, in line with our previous recommendations, then the International Community needs to respond supportively. This means doing more than supplying emergency assistance and more to offer economic support at grassroots levels.

We recommend that the worthwhile efforts being undertaken by UNDP to support livelihoods be strongly considered for increased funding by donors. There should also be enhanced technical support provided for the Taliban to better manage Afghanistan's financial institutions.

The freezing of the country's assets would also need to be revisited. Their management and distribution should be undertaken through transparent frameworks with a fiduciary responsibility to the Afghan people. They should also enable inclusive consultations to identify specific and priority development programs for disbursement of the frozen assets.

We also recommend the establishment of a support mechanism to guide private businesses to navigate UN sanctions and any financial restrictions.

Chair, to conclude, much of the burden rests on the Taliban and its policies and actions. Without a significant change, then the likelihood is that the country will continue to face unacceptable economic and humanitarian emergencies. We urge the Taliban to take pragmatic, people-centred steps promptly for the sake of the people of Afghanistan. We also urge all external stakeholders to do their utmost to continue supporting humanitarian aid and readying further supportive actions.

Thank you.