Afghan

Special Representative Ján Kubiš briefs the Security Council.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Afghanistan is advancing towards stability as international force draws down – UN envoy

17 December 2013
Despite volatility and uncertainty, Afghanistan continues to make progress in enhancing its stability as the drawdown continues for the international forces that have sought to bring security there for the past 12 years, the top United Nations envoy in the strife-torn country said today.
Nicholas Haysom, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan.
UNAMA/Eric Kanalstein

Afghanistan: UN lauds appointment of media commission as key step for 2014 elections

4 December 2013
As preparations continue for next year’s presidential and provincial council elections in Afghanistan, the United Nations mission there today welcomed the appointment of the Media Commission as another important step towards holding credible polls.
Wide view of the Security Council.
UN Photo/JC McIlwaine (file photo)

Security Council strongly condemns recent attacks on aid workers in Afghanistan

4 December 2013
The United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned the recent attacks in Afghanistan’s Uruzgan and Faryab provinces resulting in the deaths of nine development workers, bringing to 237 the number of attacks against humanitarian personnel, facilities and assets in Afghanistan so far this year.
The International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) plays a critical and impartial humanitarian role in Afghanistan.
ICRC/Marcel Stoessel

After recent attacks on Afghan aid workers, UN official urges respect for humanitarian staff

2 December 2013
Expressing deep regret at the recent deaths of nine Afghan aid workers in two separate attacks, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for the country has called on all actors in Afghanistan to respect and uphold the neutrality and independence of relief workers.
Special Representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Ján Kubiš.
Eric Kanalstein/UNAMA

Afghanistan: UN mission welcomes final list of candidates for 2014 elections

20 November 2013
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) welcomed the announcement today of the final list of candidates for next year’s presidential and provincial council elections.
Electoral staff in Afghanistan busy laying the groundwork for the polls, which will be critical for the country’s stability.
Shamsuddin Hamedi/UNAMA

UN mission welcomes latest phase of voter registration for 2014 Afghan polls

13 November 2013
The United Nations today welcomed the completion of the third phase of Afghanistan’s voter registration exercise which has resulted in the addition of an additional three million voters set to take part in next year’s presidential and provincial council elections.
Opium harvest in a poppy field in Badakhshan, Afghanistan. Raw opium is cooked before being suitable for smoking.
IRIN/Manoocher Deghati

UN agency issues urgent call to action as Afghan opium cultivation hits record high

13 November 2013
The head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) today issued an urgent call to action as opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan hit a record high this year, rising by 36 per cent, while production is up by almost half since 2012.
Special Representative Ján Kubiš.
UN Photo/Amanda Voisard

Afghanistan: UN mission condemns deadly attack resulting in civilian deaths

28 October 2013
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has condemned yesterday’s attack in the south-eastern province of Ghazni that killed 19 civilians travelling on a mini bus.
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)in Kandahar City, Afghanistan in June 2010.
ISAF/PAO/Matthew Chlosta

Ahead of 2014 draw down, Security Council extends assistance force in Afghanistan

10 October 2013
The United Nations Security Council today extended the authorization of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) until the end of 2014, when it is expected that the force will draw down and the Government of Afghanistan will assume full responsibility for security throughout the country.
Special Representative for Afghanistan Ján Kubiš (centre) briefs a news conference in Kabul.
UNAMA/Eric Kanalstein

Afghanistan: preparations for elections ‘creating a more positive environment,’ says UN official

3 October 2013
The most senior United Nations official in Afghanistan said today the quality of preparations for next year’s elections is leading to a more positive environment about the country’s prospects after the 2014 transition.