YouSaid · the spoken record

Yamamoto

lines on the record: 197
first: 1993-09-15
most recent: 2019-12-16
sittings or episodes: 18
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“It will likely be a stark choice - either to hold the presidential election on schedule or to implement all that are stipulated in the amended Election Law, knowing that this may entail a significant postponement of the presidential election. The United Nations will continue to work with Afghan stakeholders to help them ensure that the electoral process is conducted in a credible, transparent and inclusive manner. It is important, however, that Afghan institutions and stakeholders fully realize that the ultimate responsibility and ownership for elections rests with the people of Afghanistan. All this is taking place in the context of a war that continues to inflict a devastating toll on civilians.”
2019-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8481 (2019) · source
“With less than five months remaining until election day, the technical and political challenges are daunting. The new commissioners will need to take urgent decisions on the implementation of the amended Election Law, which provides for reforms, including the use of biometric technology and change in the electoral system. In addition to the presidential election, the law provides for the conduct of three additional elections: provincial council elections, district council elections, and parliamentary elections for the province of Ghazni. The commissioners will need to assess whether the current electoral calendar will permit the holding of four simultaneous elections in July.”
2019-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8481 (2019) · source
“In response to these concerns, the Election Law was amended by a presidential decree, in consultation with stakeholders, and a selection process of new members and heads of secretariats for the two commissions was held in early March, involving civil society, political parties and the presidential candidates. The two commissions must now work to rebuild public trust in the country's electoral processes. The integrity and collegiality of the two bodies are critical, as is the support of all Government institutions, most notably the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces. All candidates and political actors need to commit to respecting the independence of the two commissions so as to enable them to work without any interference. The United Nations is prepared to work closely with the newly composed commissions.”
2019-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8481 (2019) · source
“The holding of the presidential election on schedule, however, will be very challenging. The widespread irregularities during last October's parliamentary elections undermined confidence in the electoral management bodies. These problems continued throughout the counting process, and the complete finalization of election results remains delayed for several months. As these problems mounted, political stakeholders expressed increasing scepticism about the ability of the Independent Election Commission and the Electoral Complaints Commission to deliver a credible and timely presidential election.”
2019-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8481 (2019) · source
“In particular, we must strongly support and advocate for the perspectives of Afghan women, who are expressing a clear determination to safeguard their hard-won civil, political and economic rights under any peace agreement. I commend the Government of Afghanistan for its commitment to women's participation. Building on these steps, we must ensure that women's representation is strengthened and diversified. Equally, there is a need to engage Afghanistan's younger generation. Afghan youth stand to gain the most from the tangible benefits of peace: enhanced security, freedom of movement and increased education and employment opportunities. Afghanistan is set to hold a presidential election this year. We expect this to be a critical step forward in further consolidating its representative political system.”
2019-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8481 (2019) · source
“In working towards peace, we must acknowledge the profound and legitimate concerns of many citizens regarding possible compromises on the gains made over the past 18 years in the name of peace. The United Nations shares many of these concerns, particularly regarding the fate of women's rights, freedom of expression, including media rights, and space for civil society to function effectively, all of which must be protected under a peace agreement. To address these effectively, the peace process must be inclusive of the meaningful participation of groups representing all segments of Afghanistan's diverse society including women, youth, ulemas and community and political leaders. We need to think also of the rights of the victims and the issues of transitional justice.”
2019-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8481 (2019) · source
“Amid these efforts for peace, we must recognize that all international efforts, including regional efforts, need to come together to support an Afghan- led and Afghan-owned peace process. In order for such a process of peace and the implementation of an agreement to be sustainable, the support and cooperation of the international community, particularly regional countries, are essential. The United Nations welcomes various efforts and initiatives undertaken by countries concerned, but stresses the need for all those constructive efforts to be in concert and aligned in support of Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace efforts, as agreed in Geneva last November. In this context, we understand that the Government of Afghanistan has proposed to hold the third meeting of the Kabul process on peace.”
2019-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8481 (2019) · source
“At the meeting of the International Contact Group, held in London in late January, participants welcomed the ongoing United States-Taliban talks and expressed hope that they would enable direct talks to take place between the Government of Afghanistan and the Taliban. In early February, there was a meeting between some Afghan representatives and the Taliban in Moscow that provided an opportunity for them to have a better understanding of each other's views and thinking on peace. Despite such engagements, the Taliban has not yet accepted to engage in direct talks with the Government. I stress the imperative need for the Taliban to talk directly with the Government.”
2019-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8481 (2019) · source
“Mr. Yamamoto: Before I begin my remarks on Afghanistan, may I be allowed to express my sincere condolences and sympathy in connection with the loss of so many lives, including our United Nations colleagues, in the Ethiopian Airlines accident. I turn now to the issue of Afghanistan. The last three months have seen significant developments in the areas of both peace and elections. First, on peace, further efforts have been made to bring an end to the decades-long conflict in Afghanistan, yielding tangible progress. The United States and the Taliban have continued to engage in intensive direct talks; a number of countries have extended support to facilitate those talks.”
2019-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8481 (2019) · source
“Before concluding, I need to mention the ongoing suffering that plagues a large proportion of citizens in Afghanistan. Despite progress on economic reforms, the country remains one of the world's poorest, and it is blighted by climate change. Of most immediate concern are people struck by drought and violence, and the suffering of 4.5 million people needs to be alleviated. The United Nations and its partners are issuing a humanitarian response plan for Afghanistan. Approximately $612 million is required for 2019, and I ask the international community for its immediate financial support to help people in need across Afghanistan.”
2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8426 (2018) · source
“Child casualties remain high, with 2,136 recorded for the same period. Efforts must be made by all concerned to reduce the casualties. Almost 60 per cent of the casualties were caused by suicide attacks and ground engagements. The increase in the direct targeting of civilians by anti-Government elements this year is a concern for us. We also note the significant increase in civilian casualties from aerial operations. UNAMA also recorded 1,513 civilian casualties from suicide and other improvised-explosive-device attacks claimed by Da'esh/ISIL this year. That is a more than a three-fold increase for the same period last year. Given the way in which Da'esh/ISIL has expanded its influence in other parts of the world, we remain concerned about the threats from that group.”
2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8426 (2018) · source
“With that shift we can begin to envisage the benefits of a stable Afghanistan in the middle of a region full of promise and potential for growth, rather than continue to fear threats emanating from an unstable Afghanistan. As President Ghani has stated, there is a need to change the perception of Afghanistan from a site of danger or a battle ground to a platform of cooperation by location and strategic perspective. This is a moment of hope and possibility. Like all such moments, when adversaries begin to engage with one other, it is also a moment of risk. For the sake of a peaceful future for Afghanistan, these opportunities must be fulfilled and the risks managed. UNAMA's Human Rights Unit has reported that there were more than 8,000 civilian casualties from 1 January to 30 September. That is the same level as that of last year.”
2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8426 (2018) · source
“While fighting and talking are often a reality in the initial stages of a peace process, it is also the case that actions on the battlefield can have an impact on progress in any peace process. I would therefore urge all parties to the conflict to carefully consider how they can reduce the levels of violence, in particular the harm to civilians. I urge all parties to foster trust and to enable dialogue to take place. I call on the countries in the region in particular to contribute to creating an environment conducive to peace talks, thereby allowing the people of Afghanistan to resolve their internal differences through negotiations. By moving from contacts to talks, we can begin to move from a logic of war to one focused on opportunities for peace.”
2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8426 (2018) · source
“The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) is also encouraged by such developments. However, we understand that they are at a delicate stage, where political space must be allowed for the main actors to formulate their positions and determine how to react to the recent developments. The key next step would be for representatives of the Government and of the Taliban to meet, or at least to formally initiate what in mediation is referred to as talks about talks. We hope that the current momentum will bring those parties together so that they can begin to explore how they would address the many agenda points needed to reach a peaceful settlement. In this forum, I have frequently spoken of the need to move from sporadic contacts to structured, formal talks. Efforts are under way to bring about that change.”
2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8426 (2018) · source
“In Geneva, there was a dedicated meeting on peace, where participants reiterated that all international efforts, including those by regional actors and neighbouring States, needed to be in concert and aligned with the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace efforts. The reiteration of that key consensus is timely and important, as a number of initiatives are under way to advance the process. For instance, the United States Special Representative for Afghanistan has been actively engaging with the various parties concerned. On 9 November, a meeting was held in Moscow, where parties from the region participated to discuss peace. Many countries in the region, including the neighbouring States, have also expressed their support for the peace process, which appears to be emerging.”
2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8426 (2018) · source
“The international community expressed its commitment to continuing to provide assistance to Afghanistan in the event that a peace agreement is reached with the Taliban. In the past 17 years, the possibility of a negotiated end to the conflict has never been more real than it is now. On the Afghan side, a peace plan was presented by President Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah at the Geneva ministerial conference. A team to negotiate directly with the Taliban was appointed. A senior advisory board representing a broader group of Afghan politicians to support the peace efforts was also announced. On 9 December, a new head of the secretariat of the High Peace Council was appointed.”
2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8426 (2018) · source
“The international community reconfirmed that it will continue to assist Afghanistan in achieving self-reliance on the basis of mutual accountability between its development partners and the Government. The conference acknowledged the need for improvements in reforms, while recognizing the commitment of the Government to mutual accountability and a genuine reform agenda, in particular so as to counter corruption. The importance of the private sector and regional economic connectivity were underlined. A joint communique and the Geneva Mutual Accountability Framework were unanimously adopted at the end of the conference. Another key outcome of the ministerial conference was the assurance of continued international support in the post-peace phase.”
2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8426 (2018) · source
“The presidential election is critical to the future of the country. As part of our commitment to helping the Afghan institutions deliver a credible presidential election, the United Nations, in response to the request by the President and the Electoral Complaints Commission, will recommend two international experts be appointed as non-voting members of the Complaints Commission. We will also reassess the roles of the international experts in the IEC and determine if more experts are necessary. The Government of Afghanistan and the United Nations co-hosted a ministerial conference in Geneva on 28 November. Ninety-six countries and organizations participated.”
2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8426 (2018) · source
“It is clear that the electoral institutions need to make significant improvements before the presidential election. The irregularities in and mismanagement of the parliamentary elections will be unacceptable for the presidential election. We strongly urge the Independent Election Commission (IEC) and the Electoral Complaints Commission, as well as the Government, to take all necessary collective measures and to focus intensively in the coming months in order to complete the reforms so that the problems are addressed as they prepare for the presidential election in 2019. It is more important to conduct credible elections by allowing for reforms and sufficient preparations to take place rather than to conduct the elections without implementing the proper reforms from the lessons learned.”
2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8426 (2018) · source
“In the area of security, the threats were real. There were more than 108 verified incidents, causing 400 civilian casualties, the largest number of casualties on a single election day since systematic records were kept in 2009. At the same time, it must be recognized that the total number of civilian casualties throughout the electoral period this year was on a par with that in 2014. We need to acknowledge the efforts of the national security forces, which managed the security primarily themselves this year without the significant international support that they had in 2014. However, there were major and avoidable irregularities by the electoral management bodies in the preparations and implementation of the parliamentary elections.”
2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8426 (2018) · source
“We commend the courage and the strong will of the people of Afghanistan in having defied the threat of the Taliban to exercise their fundamental right to vote. When we look at the elections this year, it is necessary to realize that the preparations and implementation, as well as the management of security, were primarily conducted by the Afghan people, with only assistance and advice from international experts. Compared to the elections in 2005, when 550 international experts were responsible for the implementation of the elections, this year only about 60 international experts participated in an advisory capacity. Also, the Government of Afghanistan bore more costs this year than in the past. The international contribution decreased from approximately $140 million in 2014 to $60 million this year.”
2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8426 (2018) · source
“Mr. Yamamoto: Today, I would like to focus on elections and peace and to touch upon the outcomes of the Geneva ministerial conference. First, on elections, on 20 October, an estimated 4 million people in Afghanistan voted in the parliamentary elections. Next year, the people of Afghanistan will also make a critical political choice for their president. Those elections are essential steps on the path towards firmly establishing a representative democracy. It has been almost two months since the parliamentary elections were held in 33 out of 34 provinces. So far, the results for 29 provinces have been released. Preliminary results show that 28 per cent of the newly elected parliamentarians are women, which is above the quota.”
2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8426 (2018) · source
“We recently lost an icon of the international community. In 2001, former Secretary-General Kofi Annan began his Nobel Peace Prize speech with a few simple words. He said: "Today, in Afghanistan, a girl will be born." That girl is now almost a woman who will soon be old enough to vote, to attend university and to pursue the vocation of her dreams. Will she be able to? I am sure that that girl will be watching closely the developments of the next few months.”
2018-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8354 (2018) · source
“Together with the long-term international commitments in the security field, the Geneva ministerial conference will signal sustained political commitment to Afghanistan provided that the Afghan side lives up to its commitment to reforms and development. The Afghan Government committed to the delivery of six benchmarks, namely, first, the holding of parliamentary elections; secondly, advancing its anti-corruption efforts; thirdly, reforming the security sector; fourthly, meeting the International Monetary Fund benchmarks; fifthly, promoting private sector development; and, sixthly, the development of national priority programmes. The Geneva conference will also provide an opportunity for the international community to further clarify its expectations regarding the peace process and the ways in which it can support such a process.”
2018-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8354 (2018) · source
“Also this year, 23 aid workers have lost their lives, 37 have been injured and 74 have been abducted, making Afghanistan the second most dangerous country in which the profession conducts its work, while 2.2 million people are suffering from the country's worst drought in years. Two months from now, the Afghan Government and its international partners will gather in Geneva at the ministerial level in order to discuss all aspects of civilian efforts in Afghanistan. That is the biennial opportunity, at the ministerial level, to follow up on the mutual commitment made in Bonn in 2011. The Geneva ministerial conference will be held at the mid-point of the transformation decade, which ends in 2024.”
2018-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8354 (2018) · source
“In the first six months of this year, UNAMA recorded the highest number of civilian deaths since the Mission started to track civilian casualties. In recent weeks, we have also seen a continuation of the disturbing pattern of attacks targeting the Shia Muslim community. Each death is an individual tragedy, but it is also a tragedy for the country. Reconciliation becomes harder with each life lost. Insecurity is also taking its toll on journalists and aid workers. This year alone, 13 journalists have lost their lives and many more have been wounded. That is the highest number of deaths in any country. I urge the Government to take additional measures to enhance their protection.”
2018-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8354 (2018) · source
“I urge all sides to agree on concrete measures to build confidence towards more structured talks. Such key confidence-building steps could include prisoner releases and their treatment, as well as measures at the technical level in fields such as agriculture, education and health in contested areas. They could lead to the cessation of violence, or at least a significant reduction. All sides must realize that there is no military solution to the conflict. I also wish to underline the importance of ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women in all efforts for the promotion, establishment and maintenance of peace and security. The recent attack on the provincial capital of Ghazni and the frequent suicide attacks in Kabul and elsewhere remind us of the terrible toll on civilian lives and livelihoods.”
2018-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8354 (2018) · source
“The second ceasefire, proposed by the Government in August, was unfortunately not reciprocated by the Taliban. Peace processes rarely move along straight lines. Setbacks were to be expected. However, I believe that all actors recognized the craving of the Afghan people for peace and the undeniable need for a peace process. Whatever setbacks may lie ahead, we are in a better position now than at any time in the past 17 years to commence a process leading to talks for a negotiated end to the conflict. The most difficult phases lie ahead. They will require resilience and persistence on the part of all sides. The efforts of the Afghan Government, which we hope will be reciprocated by the Taliban, need to be reinforced by the coordinated approach of the regional and other key countries to move forward.”
2018-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8354 (2018) · source
“The Afghan institutions and political leaders have a shared responsibility for the success of the elections. I also urge the IEC to redouble its efforts to reach out to the public in order to raise awareness of that important process. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) will do everything possible within its mandate and with the resources available to support a successful electoral process. President Ghani's offer to the Taliban in February this year to engage in talks without preconditions created unprecedented political space for peace, culminating in a temporary ceasefire in June. It showed that reconciliation was possible. That newfound momentum was further supported by numerous citizen mobilizations, demonstrating the desire for a peaceful future.”
2018-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8354 (2018) · source
“Secondly, there must be an awareness that the parliamentary elections have implications beyond selecting parliamentarians, including for the presidential election in April 2019. We are aware ofthe real possibility of fraud taking place, as well as allegations of fraud, which may have the tactical purpose of discrediting the already difficult elections. The Afghan institutions must combat both. Thirdly, I urge all political actors and institutions to perform their duties, to act responsibly and to think of the Afghan people, bearing in mind the country's bitter past. At this critical juncture, the Independent Election Commission, as the lead institution on elections, will be expected to discharge its function with the highest degree of integrity, with professionalism and with full accountability to the Afghan people.”
2018-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8354 (2018) · source
“Regardless of the reforms that are being implemented, the parliamentary elections will undoubtedly be a major test for Afghanistan's young democratic institutions. Almost one-third of Afghanistan's more than 7,000 polling centres will not open due to insecurity. That raises concerns about inclusivity. The main question is therefore not whether the elections will be imperfect but how Afghanistan's electoral institutions will manage such limitations. In my communications with the political actors in Afghanistan, I have consistently stressed three key points. First, continued international support should not be taken for granted. That is also true for the continuation of the constitutional order.”
2018-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8354 (2018) · source
“Many opposition parties remain sceptical about that number, citing both the security concerns that would have prevented many people from registering and alleging fraud. Several safeguards for the verification of voter lists and fraud prevention measures are being put in place. Despite those measures, scepticism remains. Over the past few days, supporters of a coalition of political parties have started to block several provincial election commission offices, demanding that additional safeguards be put in place. Such actions hinder the work of the IEC and jeopardize the holding of the elections on time. Political concerns must be addressed through institutional mechanisms, not through blockades.”
2018-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8354 (2018) · source
“I have met many Afghans across the country who have impressed upon me their desire to exercise their right to elect their representatives. Many will face considerable risks to do that. Operationally and technically, the preparations are on track, yet I remain very concerned that political challenges couldjeopardize the tight timelines and derail the elections unless all political leaders are engaged constructively and peacefully to ensure that elections are held on time. Security is also a serious concern. From a technical point of view alone, elections are possible. The candidate lists were finalized in time to enable the printing ofballot papers to meet the deadline. The recruitment ofthe election officials is on track. The Independent Election Commission (IEC) announced that more than 9 million people had registered to vote.”
2018-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8354 (2018) · source
“Mr. Yamamoto: It is a time for important decisions in Afghanistan. These decisions will affect the fundamental fabric of the society and the future of Afghanistan. The Afghan people are scheduled to cast their votes on 20 October to choose their parliamentary representatives for the first time since 2010. Strategic decisions, underpinned by a national consensus, will need to be taken to guide the next steps towards peace. On 28 November in Geneva, the Government of Afghanistan and the United Nations will co-chair a ministerial conference on Afghanistan, at which all aspects of civilian efforts in the country will be placed on the table for review and mutual commitment. Just over a month from now, the Afghan people are scheduled to go to the polls.”
2018-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8354 (2018) · source
“However, we are seeing unprecedented opportunities to make progress in seeking peace and in consolidating the political foundation for the future. Afghanistan's evolving development needs and the strategies to address them are being re-evaluated as part of the preparations for the Geneva conference. In other words, the coming months will present critical opportunities for the international community to seriously review and adjust the way in which it supports and assists Afghanistan in its efforts to bring about peace, democracy and self-reliance.”
2018-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8294 (2018) · source
“While our attention has been focused on the larger political processes, it is important that we not lose sight of the critical issue of the protection of women's rights. UNAMA recently issued a report on the use ofmediation to resolve criminal cases of violence against women. I was greatly disturbed by the findings. The report found that a majority of those cases were resolved through mediation instead of being tried in accordance with criminal laws. In many cases, such traditional means of resolution compounded the original violence. Women were left to suffer. Women who have been subjected to criminal violence must be able to assert their rights according to the law. The key political events of peace and the elections are far from ensured.”
2018-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8294 (2018) · source
“Much has been achieved, but much remains to be done in the domains of peace, security and development. Geneva affords us all this year's best chance to set in stone the road to a safer and better future. Much of Afghanistan, in particular the north and the west, have been struck by drought more severe than anything experienced in almost a decade. Wheat production in 2017 was reported to be 57 per cent below the five-year average. The 2018 harvest is forecast to be even lower. The humanitarian response plan has been revised by the amount of $117 million up to the still modest total of $547 million in order to enable the United Nations to provide relief to affected populations and to complement the work of the Government to assist people in need.”
2018-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8294 (2018) · source
“Finally, it will address the link between short-term humanitarian action and development cooperation. The link between peace and security, humanitarian action and development is a key theme for the United Nations, and the Geneva ministerial conference offers an opportunity to focus on that nexus. In Geneva, we expect the Afghan side to report on its achievements in the areas of development, poverty reduction and reforms, and to outline concrete plans to address remaining challenges. In response, I count on Afghanistan's development partners to actively support the people and institutions of Afghanistan as they move the country forward. We are encouraged to see that the Afghan Government is already looking beyond the transformation decade, for example by working to increase regional connectivity and trade.”
2018-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8294 (2018) · source
“UNAMA will do all it can alongside the international community to assist Afghan efforts to bring about transparent, inclusive and credible Afghan-owned elections. The ministerial conference on Afghanistan in Geneva, hosted by the United Nations and co-chaired by the Government of Afghanistan, will be held on 28 November. The conference comes at the mid-point of the transformation decade during which the country transitions from dependence on the international community to self-reliance. The conference will focus on three areas. The first is the extent to which the country is moving towards self-reliance and the effectiveness of aid. The second area is the remaining challenges, for example insecurity and job creation. Clearly, a safer country where the private sector can grow faster is key to creating employment.”
2018-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8294 (2018) · source
“Political parties and political leaders need to be fully aware that they also carry a large part of the responsibility for credible elections. Rather than simply criticizing the process, they must be actively engaged to make elections truly Afghan-owned. We welcome the commitment of civil society to monitor voting, counting, tabulating, and transmission of results at every polling station. The international community must support their monitoring activities. The United Nations has 23 international experts currently working with the Independent Election Commission and the Electoral Complaints Commission, as well as their respective secretariats, and additional technical advisers are being recruited.”
2018-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8294 (2018) · source
“Given Afghanistan's multi-ethnic composition, the exclusion of those communities could lead to the election results being contested. Such disparities have also affected the nomination of candidates. This time, elections in Afghanistan are being conducted as a fully Afghan-led and-owned process. All Afghans share responsibility for transparent and inclusive elections. The Independent Election Commission has the primary responsibility. All Commissioners must become fully aware of the lofty responsibilities they shoulder for the future of Afghanistan - to strengthen the foundation of the democratic political process and to demonstrate that Afghanistan is determined and ready to take on the challenges to bring about an independent, sovereign State that can stand on its own feet.”
2018-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8294 (2018) · source
“This is the first time since 2003 that Afghanistan is conducting a complete registration of voters for both parliamentary and presidential elections. The goal is a single, national voter registry that can produce accurate lists based on polling stations. When achieved, it is expected to significantly reduce fraud. The registration of over 7 million voters is a positive achievement under difficult circumstances, particularly insecurity. On closer scrutiny, however, there remains cause for concern. First, in six provinces, less than 35 per cent of the estimated eligible voters were registered. Secondly, registration within provinces is uneven, with certain areas being prevented from registering for logistical or security reasons.”
2018-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8294 (2018) · source
“The Afghans must talk among themselves to end the conflict and to decide on the future. That clearly requires the Taliban to have direct talks with the Afghan Government. We believe that the issue of international forces will inevitably be taken up in the comprehensive context of peace talks, which will determine the future political order for all Afghans. I should like to note here that regional efforts to counter terrorism have been receiving more attention, with some important international conferences organized by Tajikistan and the Office of Counter-Terrorism. Preparations are now under way in earnest for parliamentary elections in October and presidential elections planned for spring of next year. Since mid-April, over 7 million people have registered to vote.”
2018-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8294 (2018) · source
“The Afghan people's genuine demand for peace, coming from the bottom of their hearts, must not be ignored. We should ask ourselves two questions. What have we learned from these events for peace and how do we respond? What we have learned is that both the Afghan Government and the Taliban have command and control over their troops. Afghans, including Taliban fighters, clearly want peace. It is also clear that President Ghani is taking courageous steps to seek peace through talks. How do we respond? In returning to the battlefield, the Taliban insist that its goal is to end the presence of foreign forces in Afghanistan. Therefore, it shuns direct talks with the Afghan Government. However, any future political settlement in Afghanistan must take into account the concerns of all Afghans.”
2018-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8294 (2018) · source
“Even though the Taliban did not formally respond to the offer, a number of other developments reinforced it. First, we saw an unprecedented grass- roots movement. Beginning in March, ordinary Afghan people began setting up tents in around 20 of the 34 provinces, where they protested for peace. In early June, a group of 2,000 religious scholars met in Kabul. They pronounced suicide bombings to be against the teaching of Islam and called for a ceasefire and for peace talks to begin. At the beginning of Ramadan, one of the first groups to set up a peace tent began a 500-kilometre march from Helmand to Kabul, stopping along the way to raise support for their call for a ceasefire and talks and reaching Kabul last week. Their demand to end the conflict is addressed to every party to the conflict.”
2018-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8294 (2018) · source
“Social media was inundated with photos of Taliban fighters embracing Afghan security forces. President Ghani then proposed to extend the ceasefire - a proposal endorsed by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and many members of the international community. The Taliban, unfortunately, recommitted themselves to battle. I regret deeply that the Taliban did not take up the opportunity to cease fighting and reduce violence. Their decision to fight will only increase the suffering of civilians. It is nonetheless worth taking stock of how much has changed this year alone on the question of peace in Afghanistan. The National Unity Government's offer of peace talks without preconditions, made during the Kabul Process conference on 28 February, created a new reality.”
2018-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8294 (2018) · source
“Mr. Yamamoto: Afghanistan is experiencing a politically dynamic period. Ten days ago, we witnessed an extraordinary series of events in Afghanistan that demonstrated both the possibilities for peace and the enduring structural obstacles. On 7 June, President Ghani declared a unilateral ceasefire for the period 12-19 June to commemorate the Bid festivities that conclude the month of Ramadan. Two days later, the Taliban announced its own unilateral ceasefire, covering 15-17 June. During these overlapping three days, both sides honoured their respective ceasefires for the first time in the past 17 years of conflict. Many Afghans reacted with jubilation. Local Government authorities invited members of the Taliban to lay down their arms and enter cities to visit their families; some Afghan soldiers visited Taliban-controlled areas.”
2018-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8294 (2018) · source
“The ground- breaking was not only a success for regional cooperation and integration, but the beginning of the fulfilment of a long-standing project in Afghanistan that will contribute significantly to Afghanistan's economic self-reliance. UNAMA appreciate's the Council's adoption of a renewed mandate for UNAMA. We have important tasks ahead of us this year, including peace efforts, the upcoming elections and the ministerial conference on Afghanistan, which the United Nations looks forward to hosting with the Government of Afghanistan in Geneva on 28 November. I must also mention the critical areas of human rights and reforms, including with regard to anti-corruption efforts. As we work with and for the people and the Government of Afghanistan, we look to the Security Council to provide us with a clear mandate.”
2018-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8199 (2018) · source
“While the international aid community is preparing contingency plans to provide short-term help, the responsibility for people's protection and welfare rests with the State. Simply put, only the State can provide land, guarantee property rights and ensure adequate provision of services. With regard to investment and improving Afghanistan's economy, I am pleased to note the recent ground-breaking ceremony for the construction in Afghanistan of the Turkmenistan- Afghanistan-Pakistan-India pipeline. The nearly 2,000-kilometre-long pipeline will be able to transfer 33 billion cubic metres of gas from Turkmenistan to Pakistan and India through Afghanistan.”
2018-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8199 (2018) · source
“I would like to turn to another issue of pressing importance, which is the question of refugees and displaced persons. Pakistan and Iran have generously hosted Afghan refugees for decades in times of great needs, and we appreciate their contribution. It should not be forgotten that 1.5 million people returned to Afghanistan in 2016 and 2017. The Afghan Government has welcomed the return of its citizens, but such large numbers inevitably stress the Government's ability to provide services. Assurances that returnees would gain access to land, housing and basic services have unfortunately not been realized. We believe that gap must be addressed before encouraging more people to move back to their homeland voluntarily. It is possible, and even likely, that hundreds of thousands more Afghans will return from Pakistan this year alone.”
2018-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8199 (2018) · source