Afghan

Staffan de Mistura

Security major challenge for Afghanistan in the coming months, says UN envoy

30 June 2010
Security will be a major challenge in what is gearing up as a critical period for Afghanistan, which will be hosting a major international conference in the capital next month and holding parliamentary elections in September, the top United Nations envoy there said today.
Jeremy Renner on a minefield in Bagram, Afghanistan

Hollywood star visits Afghanistan to shine light on UN de-mining campaign

30 June 2010
The actor Jeremy Renner, who shot to fame playing a bomb disposal expert in the Academy Award-winning film The Hurt Locker, has wrapped up a five-day visit to Afghanistan to highlight the real-life efforts of the United Nations to remove landmines from the war-scarred country.
A UN vehicle in Kabul

Attack on UN vehicle in Afghan capital leaves one staff member dead

29 June 2010
The United Nations has confirmed that one of its vehicles was shot at this morning in the Afghan capital, Kabul, resulting in the death of one staff member.
UN Security Council delegation meets with President Hamid Karzai in Kabul

Security Council wraps up visit with pledge of sustained support for Afghanistan

24 June 2010
Members of the Security Council wrapped up their visit to Afghanistan today, voicing their continued support for the country’s efforts to build a lasting peace and stressing the need for free and fair elections, improved governance and the upholding of human rights.
Special Representative for Afghanistan Staffan de Mistura

Vetting process for upcoming Afghan polls not thorough enough, says UN envoy

23 June 2010
The top United Nations envoy in Afghanistan today voiced discontent with the process of vetting candidates ahead of September’s parliamentary elections, stating that it has not produced a satisfactory result.
A drug-addict in Kabul

Leading drug producer Afghanistan witnessing rise in addiction – UN

21 June 2010
Afghanistan, the world’s leading producer of opium and hashish, is seeing an increasing number of its own citizens taking drugs, according to a new United Nations report released today, which found that around one million people – eight per cent of the population – suffer from addiction.
Afghan refugees (file photo)

Tens of thousands of Afghan refugees go back home with UN support

21 June 2010
An estimated 70,000 Afghan refugees have returned to their homeland so far this year, an indication that an increasing number of those who fled have confidence that they can live in the country despite the prevailing security and socio-economic challenges, according to the United Nations refugee agency.
Security Council members arriving in Kabul

Security Council arrives in Afghanistan to assess progress, show support

21 June 2010
Members of the Security Council arrived today in Kabul to review progress made by the Afghan Government with assistance from the international community, and to demonstrate their continued support for the country’s efforts to ensure a sustainable peace.
Women attending the June 2010 Peace Jirga in Kabul

Afghanistan needs continued global support during critical transition period – UN

18 June 2010
While the overall security situation has not improved in recent months, Afghanistan has witnessed a number of positive developments, according to a new United Nations report, which urges continued international support for what is a critical period for the country.
Staffan de Mistura

Top UN envoy calls for sustaining momentum of recent Afghan peace forum

12 June 2010
It is essential that the momentum of the recent peace jirga held in Afghanistan is maintained and utilized to advance dialogue towards development and stability in the country, the top United Nations official there said today.