Afghan

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon meets with President Hamid Karzai at London conference

International support for Afghanistan must go beyond security needs – Ban

28 January 2010
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for a coherent political strategy to assist Afghanistan in its quest for peace, security and development, noting that the country’s challenges cannot be overcome by military efforts alone.
Staffan de Mistura

Ban announces new UN envoy for Afghanistan on eve of London conference

27 January 2010
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced his intention to appoint veteran diplomat Staffan de Mistura as the top United Nations envoy to Afghanistan, as he heads to London for an international conference aimed at helping the country chart its future.
Kai Eide, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan

Delay to Afghan polls will ensure better preparations, UN envoy says

24 January 2010
The top United Nations official in Afghanistan has welcomed today''s decision to postpone the country''s parliamentary elections by four months, saying it will give election authorities more time to prepare for the polls.

Secretary-General to attend major Afghan conference in London next week

21 January 2010
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will take part in next week’s international conference aimed at helping Afghanistan to chart its way forward in the wake of last year’s presidential elections and build a more secure and prosperous country, it was announced today.

Corruption, not insecurity, biggest concern for Afghans – UN report

19 January 2010
While violence and poverty are widely thought to be the major challenges confronting Afghanistan, nearly 60 per cent of the population said corruption is their biggest concern, according to a new United Nations report, which states that Afghans paid $2.5 billion in bribes over the past 12 months.
Special Representative Kai Eide

Top UN envoy to Afghanistan deplores militant attacks in Kabul

18 January 2010
The top United Nations envoy to Afghanistan today strongly condemned this morning’s coordinated deadly attacks, for which the Taliban have claimed responsibility, in the capital, Kabul, decrying the militants’ “staggering disregard” for civilians.

Last year deadliest yet for Afghan civilians caught in conflict, finds UN report

13 January 2010
New statistics released by the United Nations today showed that 2009 was the deadliest year yet for civilians in Afghanistan, with 2,412 casualties recorded – an increase of 14 per cent over the previous year – prompting the world body to call for greater efforts to ensure their protection.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addresses Security Council on the situation in Afghanistan

Afghan needs: stronger Government, greater economic drive, Ban says

6 January 2010
The Security Council discussed the situation in Afghanistan today, with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressing the twin needs to strengthen the Government’s role while coordinating “broader and more effective” international civilian efforts under the United Nations umbrella to spur economic and social development.
A young boy carriers blankets for his family [File Photo]

UN boosts aid to vulnerable Afghans as winter conditions take hold

5 January 2010
United Nations agencies have stepped up their humanitarian relief efforts to help tens of thousands of vulnerable Afghans survive the bitter winter weather in the east of the country, the world body’s mission there, known as UNAMA, said today.
Refugees in their special tented camp in remote and desolate region

World must act now to reverse worsening situation in Afghanistan – Ban

4 January 2010
There is currently no indication of an early improvement in the security situation in Afghanistan, which deteriorated last year – dramatically so in Kabul, the capital – and a better coordinated international effort is crucial to reversing overall negative trends, according to the latest United Nations report released today.