Afghan

One of the buildings attacked by armed insurgents during their raids on Afghan institutions and foreign embassies in several provinces, including the capital Kabul.
UNAMA/F. Waezi

Afghan conflict takes increasing toll on civilians in first half of 2013 – UN report

31 July 2013
The number of Afghan civilians killed or injured in the first half of 2013 rose by 23 per cent compared to the same period last year, owing mainly to the increased use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by insurgents, according to a United Nations report released today.
Deputy Special Representative for the Secretary-General for Political Affairs Nicholas Haysom arrives in the region on an official visit.
UNAMA/Aurora V. Alambra

PHOTO FEATURE: A day in the life of Nicholas Haysom, UN deputy chief in Afghanistan

29 July 2013
Peace and Security

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) is a special political mission established by the Security Council in 2002 at the request of the Government to assist it and the people of Afghanistan in laying the foundations for sustainable peace and development in the country.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon briefs the press.
UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

Ban welcomes Afghan President's approval of key election law

18 July 2013
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the presidential endorsement of a law to regulate the structure and responsibilities of Afghanistan's electoral management bodies, calling it a “key step” to towards the country's presidential and provincial council elections next year.
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 progress on key Afghan election law ahead of 2014 polls

15 July 2013
The United Nations mission in Afghanistan has welcomed the approval of a law regulating the structure and responsibilities of the country's electoral management bodies, calling it a key step for ensuring credible presidential and provincial council polls next year.
Photo: UNAMA
UNAMA

UN condemns continued killing of Afghan civilians as roadside bomb claims more lives

10 July 2013
The United Nations mission in Afghanistan has strongly condemned the killing by a roadside bomb of at least 18 civilians – including eight women, eight children and two men – in the Obeh district of the western province of Herat.
Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson briefs the press.
UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

Credible 2014 elections vital to progress on Afghan transition – deputy UN chief

3 July 2013
It is vital for Afghanistan, and for its partners, that the country consolidate the important gains made over the past decade and move ahead with its democratic transition, the deputy United Nations chief said today, emphasizing in particular the need for free and fair elections next year.
Afghan refugees sit outside their tent in Islamabad, Pakistan.
UNHCR/A. Shahzad

UN agency welcomes extension of stay for Afghan refugees in Pakistan

2 July 2013
The United Nations today welcomed the renewed commitment of Pakistan, the world's largest refugee-hosting nation, to continue to provide protection and safety for over 1.6 million registered Afghan refugees.
Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson meets with President Hamid Karzai.
Afghan Presidential Palace

In Afghanistan, UN deputy chief reiterates commitment to country’s long-term development

1 July 2013
Wrapping up a visit to reaffirm the United Nations support for Afghanistan, Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson praised the country’s progress and said the Afghan people “must not fall back into the nightmares of war, extreme poverty and violations of human rights."