United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed the international community's "concern" regarding the situation in Afghanistan, "terrorism," and the exclusion of women and girls, as well as the spread of drug trafficking, considering that "the situation in Afghanistan is the largest humanitarian catastrophe in the world today." Guterres noted that the meeting of country envoys in Doha was not "about recognizing the Taliban government," adding that he would meet with the Taliban when the right moment comes, "but today is not the right time."
For her part, Pakistani Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar emphasized, "The threat of the Taliban authorities or increasing their isolation is an approach that will not work for countries that want to alleviate the humanitarian crises in Afghanistan or ease the restrictions imposed on women and girls." She stated to Reuters, "What is the alternative? This is my question to those who claim that 'washing their hands' is possible." She added that the Taliban's threats since taking control of Afghanistan 20 months ago have made the movement "more rigid in thought."
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric announced last week that the meeting being held in Qatar aims to focus on revitalizing "international engagement on common goals towards a sustainable way forward regarding Afghanistan."
