Security Council renews mandate for United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan

In its capacity as penholder on Afghanistan, Spain led the complex and arduous negotiation process over a period of more than a month. Finally, after a long negotiation session that lasted until Friday night, the resulting text satisfies the positions of all Members of the Council and the wishes of the authorities in Afghanistan.

In his speech at the Council session at which the resolution was adopted, and besides expressing gratitude for the confidence placed in Spain by the other Members of the Security Council for entrusting it with responsibility on Afghanistan, the Spanish representative highlighted the main changes and new features contained in this resolution when compared with its predecessors:
First of all, it recognises and adapts to the new situation in Afghanistan following the satisfactory conclusion of the first democratic transition in the country's history since the agreement reached to create a National Unity Government and the start of the Decade of Transformation on 1 January 2015, the goal for which is security and economic sustainability in the country.

Secondly, it underlines Afghan sovereignty, ownership and leadership over its own nation-building process.

And, thirdly, it entrusts the Secretary-General with launching a process to examine the function, structure and actions of the United Nations entities in Afghanistan, in full consultation and collaboration with the Government of Afghanistan and the main stakeholders involved, including the community of donors.

The Spanish representative reiterated Spain's full support for the new authorities in Afghanistan and its citizens, while also calling on the Government of Afghanistan to firmly implement the already announced programme of reforms on democratisation, good governance and human rights, especially women's rights.

He concluded by calling on the Government of Afghanistan to persevere in its efforts to achieve national peace and reconciliation, while closely tackling common challenges together with its neighbours.