Taliban Government Announces Position on Attendance at UN Meeting in Doha

The Taliban government announced on Sunday that it would send representatives to the two-day United Nations conference on Afghanistan, scheduled to be held in Doha starting June 30. Taliban Foreign Ministry spokesperson Abdulqahar Balkhi stated in a message on the platform "X" that the decision comes after reviewing the agenda and the list of participants shared during "nearly two months of discussions with the United Nations." Balkhi added, "If there are any changes to the agenda and participation, it will naturally affect our decision, which we will announce to all parties at that time." The United Nations stated in a statement last month, following a visit by Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo to the country, that the UN conference on Afghanistan aims to enhance international engagement "in a more cohesive, coordinated, and organized manner." During her visit, DiCarlo discussed with the Taliban various challenges facing the country, including the human rights situation, particularly restrictions on women's education, as well as recent deadly floods and food insecurity, according to the UN.