Security Council voices support for Afghan-led transition to stability

The Security Council today welcomed the commitments made this week by the Afghan Government towards greater security, improved governance and tackling corruption, and called on the international community to support the country’s efforts.

“The members of the Council looked forward to the timely implementation of these commitments,” Ambassador Joy Ogwu of Nigeria, which holds the rotating Council presidency for this month, said in a statement read out to the press.

The statement followed a closed-door meeting during which Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon briefed the Council on his visit to Afghanistan earlier this week and his participation in the Kabul Conference held on 20 July.

Top officials from over 60 countries, as well as international and regional organizations and financial institutions, attended the meeting, the first international gathering on Afghanistan to be held inside the country.

It concluded with the adoption of a communiqué setting out the commitments for action that form part of what is known as the “Kabul process,” which will see a transition to greater Afghan responsibility and ownership, in both security and civilian areas.

“The members of the Council supported this Afghan-led process, which aims to accelerate Afghan leadership and ownership, strengthen international partnership and regional cooperation, improve Afghanistan’s governance, enhance the capabilities of its security forces, deliver economic growth and provide better protection for the rights of all its citizens,” said Ms. Ogwu.

Mr. Ban told the Council he was encouraged by the outcome of the conference, while adding that “words must be followed up with deeds – by the Afghan authorities and by the international community,” UN spokesperson Martin Nesirky told reporters.

In today’s statement, Council members also acknowledged the intention of the Afghan Government to engage with the 15-member body and the international community in a transparent process of de-listing individuals from the Consolidated List of individuals and entities subject to UN sanctions in connection with Al-Qaida and the Taliban.

Individuals on the list, which include 137 Afghan nationals, are subject to the assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo imposed under Council resolution 1267 of 1999, and related resolutions, by which all UN Member States are required to impose sanctions on Osama bin Laden, the Taliban and those associated with them.