Senior UN officials: Ignoring Afghanistan could have global consequences

Elaha Wed Jul 2026 2 months ago 448

Rahim Mohammad Ibrahim, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and Achim Steiner, head of the United Nations Development Programme, emphasized in an interview with The Associated Press that constructive engagement, support, and encouragement of sound policies could play a significant role in strengthening security and stability in Afghanistan.


Rahim Mohammad Ibrahim, referring to the experiences of past years, said that ignoring Afghanistan has not been an appropriate solution. He added that maintaining engagement with the country could prevent the emergence of security crises.


This UN official also warned that escalating instability in Afghanistan would not be confined to its borders and could bring consequences for the region and the world, including increased drug trafficking, the spread of extremism, the activities of criminal networks, and a new wave of migration and refugees.


These two UN officials stated that the Taliban's extensive restrictions against women and girls—including the ban on girls continuing their education beyond primary school and the limitations imposed on women's employment—remain one of the primary concerns of the international community.


According to them, this issue was also raised in meetings with Taliban officials, and from their perspective, continued engagement with the group could create the groundwork for reforms and a move toward the formation of a more inclusive system.


Rahim Mohammad Ibrahim and Achim Steiner also stressed that cutting ties with Afghanistan would ultimately entail greater costs for the international community. Rahim Mohammad Ibrahim said on this matter: "Afghanistan cannot be ignored. What happens in Afghanistan does not necessarily stay within Afghanistan."


The United Nations believes that continued international engagement, the provision of targeted support, and efforts to create economic opportunities could help reduce existing crises and prevent a return to instability in Afghanistan.


These remarks come as some Western countries, adopting a pragmatic approach, have continued their contacts with the Taliban through dialogues they have described solely as technical. In contrast, a number of other Western governments and lawmakers, citing the Taliban's increasing restrictions on women and girls, are concerned that such engagement could lead to legitimizing the group.

Two senior United Nations officials who have traveled to Afghanistan have urged Western countries to maintain their engagement with the country, warning that neglecting its situation could pave the way for renewed instability.

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