The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) says recent Doha working group meetings have focused on supporting the private sector, counter-narcotics efforts, role of women in society and Afghanistan’s international commitments.
The meetings were attended by representatives from 26 countries, international organisations, officials from the caretaker Afghan government and other global institutions.
In a post published today on its official Facebook page under the title “Doha Process Working Group Meetings: Calls for Greater Engagement and Support for the People of Afghanistan”, UNAMA said the working group sessions on Afghanistan’s private sector and anti-narcotics efforts were held from 30 June to 1 July in Doha, Qatar.
It said the two-day meetings highlighted the efforts already undertaken to strengthen the private sector and combat narcotics, while also identifying further priorities for engagement and practical action.
UNAMA added that the meetings brought together representatives from 26 UN member states, international organisations, and the Islamic Emirate, along with 10 subject matter experts.
Roza Otunbayeva, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative and Head of UNAMA, said:
“Supporting the private sector and counter-narcotics efforts is both an economic and humanitarian imperative.”
She added: “Beyond the calls for greater engagement and international support for the Afghan people, the meetings also provided an important opportunity to discuss Afghanistan’s international commitments with the current authorities, highlight the vital role of women and girls in Afghan society, and explore ways to revive the country’s economy.”
UNAMA noted that the counter-narcotics working group focused on implementing a joint action plan for providing alternative livelihoods to poppy farmers, formulating a plan to control narcotics, and ensuring treatment for individuals affected by drug use. Other key issues discussed included drug trafficking, production, border management, and law enforcement.
The private sector working group, based on wide consultations with sector stakeholders, concentrated on current cooperative efforts, including improving access to finance, strengthening regulatory frameworks, supporting women entrepreneurs, and increasing their participation across all sectors.
Discussions centred on practical solutions for job creation, skills development, and support for Afghanistan’s economic growth.
These technical working groups were formed following the third meeting of special envoys in Doha in July last year and are based on recommendations from the independent assessment presented to the UN Security Council.
They are part of a broader multilateral engagement process with Afghan authorities for the benefit of the Afghan people.
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