General Assembly Resolution on “The Situation in Afghanistan”

Agenda Item 38

This Tuesday, 27 November, the UN General Assembly held a debate on its annual resolution on “The Situation in Afghanistan.” The resolution was adopted by consensus, reaffirming the body’s commitment to Afghanistan’s peace, stability, and prosperity and welcoming the phased security transition that has been mapped out between Afghanistan and the international community. Introducing the draft resolution was Ambassador Peter Wittig of Germany, who said, “the resolution sends, yet again, a positive signal of sustained support to Afghanistan, its Government and its people.”

H.E. Ambassador Tanin, Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations, focused his statement on the current climate in Afghanistan, noting achievements such as the improvements to infrastructure, healthcare, and education, the advancement of women’s rights, economic growth, and the strengthening of the ANSF so that they will fulfill their commitment to protecting the Afghan people following the withdrawal of the International Security Assistance Force in 2014. He also touched on the upcoming elections in Afghanistan, the conferences that have been convened with regional and international partners, and the post-2014 military partnership with the United States.

“Afghanistan is approaching the end of a period, with the end of the existing framework of international military engagement and with all focus on transition to Afghan-led security, governance and development,” said H.E. Dr. Tanin. This transition includes the transfer of responsibilities from international to Afghan forces, but also requires a strong focus on “fair, free and democratic elections that can regenerate new energies for consolidating peace and stability.” Ultimately, the elections “should be seen in connection with the ongoing major effort aimed at bringing stability and an end to violence, that of a search for a political solution.”

Looking forward, Ambassador Tanin made it clear that, though some talk about a “coming disaster as the international forces leave,” this does not have to be. Though “the future of Afghanistan hangs on many ‘ifs’…it is our responsibility, together with the international community, to reduce uncertainties. We do not see the transition as a cliff that could be fallen from with just one false step.”

In total, the Assembly heard statements from Afghanistan, Germany, the European Union, the U.S., the United Kingdom, the People’s Republic of China, the Kyrgyz Republic on behalf of the Shanghai Cooperation, and 16 others. All speakers highlighted the major points of the draft resolution, which noted the commitments made at the Bonn Conference, the Chicago Summit, the Tokyo Conference, and the Heart of Asia Kabul Ministerial Meeting, which redefined and reinvigorated the long-term partnership between the country and its regional and international partners.

The draft resolution was co-sponsored by 84 delegations, and adopted by consensus. The Resolution and corresponding Secretary-General’s Report on the Situation in Afghanistan are available as A/67/L.16 and A/67/354-S/2012/703 respectively.

H.E. Dr. Zahir Tanin, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations has been reappointed as Chairman of the ongoing intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform.

In a letter sent on 9 November 2012, H.E. Mr. Vuk Jeremić, President of the 67th General Assembly appointed the Ambassador as chairman, thanked him for accepting the responsibility and requested that Member States “continue to extend full cooperation and support to his efforts.”

Ambassador Tanin has chaired the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) process since it began in the 63^rd General Assembly, as mandated by a decision of the General Assembly. Since then, Ambassador Tanin has overseen eight rounds of negotiations. In his capacity as Chair, Ambassador Tanin produced a letter on 25 July 2012 which described the progress made thus far in the IGN, highlighted the increased interactivity between Member States in the eighth round exchanges, and made recommendations for the way forward.

In September 2012, as in the last four General Assembly sessions, Member States took a unanimous decision to continue the intergovernmental negotiations during the 67th General Assembly. The President of the General Assembly’s reappointment of Ambassador Tanin ensures that the process will have continuity and will retain the spirit of transparency and openness that has categorized the process thus far.  Ambassador Tanin is also serving as a Vice President of the 67th General Assembly.

October 17, 2012- The first Summit of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) which commenced in Kuwait on Tuesday, congratulated and welcomed the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan as a new member of the Forum.

President Hamid Karzai thanked His Highness the Amir of Kuwait and all ACD member states on their constant support for Afghanistan to become a member of the ACD Forum.

The President said, “Afghanistan believes that it was an excellent initiative by the Kingdom of Thailand to launch in 2002 the Asian Cooperation Dialogue, as a continental forum for integrating all aspects of Asia’s strengths and transforming the vast continent into a desirable unified community.”

President Karzai applauded the proposal by His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al-Jaber Al Sabah, the Amir of the State of Kuwait, to establish  the ACD Trust Fund of 2 billion $ for the development efforts in the least developed Asian countries and his announcement to contribute 300 million dollars towards the target amount of 2 billion USD.

The President hoped that other member states would also generously contribute to the Trust Fund for the good of the entire continent.

President Karzai noted, Afghanistan respects the core principles of the ACD, namely positive thinking; informality; voluntarism; openness and respect for diversity.

The President said, “We believe that ACD provides a unique opportunity to discuss and engage in sincere and result-oriented dialogue with a view to addressing the peace, security and development challenges that confront us all in different ways. This Forum can enable us to further strengthen peaceful co-existence among cultures and civilizations in our continent.”

The President added, “I am fully confident that our membership in this very important Asian Cooperation Dialogue will further provide the opportunity to better strengthen our regional cooperation for the well being of our continent and beyond.”

At the summit, leaders of the ACD member states congratulated President Karzai on membership of Afghanistan to the ACD and described its affiliation with the Forum as beneficial.

Currently, 32 Asian countries are members to the ACD and Afghanistan has joined the Forum now.

Key objectives of the ACD are to broaden economic and cultural cooperation among Asian countries; improve people’s lives; fight poverty and terrorism; manage natural disasters and to promote agriculture, tourism, transportation, technology and human resources.

For further information, please contact:

Office of the Spokesperson to the President of Afghanistan,

Tel.:   +93 (20) 210 2853

          +93 (20) 210 3705

president.pressofficee@gmail.com

www.president.gov.af