UN Deputy Secretary-General: Doha conference does not mean recognition of the Taliban
Bayan News – Rosemary Di Carlo, the UN Deputy Secretary-General, provided details about the two-day Doha conference during a press conference at the end of the third Doha conference on Monday afternoon (July 1).
Ms. Di Carlo told reporters that the Taliban’s proposal at the third Doha conference regarding the formation of two working groups focusing on the private sector and eradicating poppy cultivation in Afghanistan has been agreed upon.
The creation of a joint working group proposed by Zabihullah Mujahid, the head of the Taliban delegation, was suggested on the second day of the Doha conference.
The UN Deputy Secretary-General also reiterated at this press conference that conferences like Doha do not imply the official recognition of the Taliban.
“My hope is that the constructive results of these last two days can help address some of the complex challenges that have affected people’s lives,” she said.
This UN official also stated that more than anything, it is a discussion about the unity of the global community on whether they continue to engage with the Taliban or not.
Di Carlo further expressed hope that the presence of special representatives at the conference and the dialogue with the Taliban can lead to the creation of a more open and inclusive society in terms of governance and civil society participation in Afghanistan.
The UN Deputy also stated that the organization will not diminish its role in relation to women, civil society, and minorities in Afghanistan in any way.
Referring to the ban on education and work for girls in Afghanistan, Di Carlo noted that the participants of this conference raised the issue of women and girls as a primary demand in their discussions with the Taliban, and it is expected that the Taliban will address these demands at the earliest opportunity.
Di Carlo considered the continuation of the ban on education, training, and work for girls and women as a setback for Afghanistan’s development.
Unlike the previous two conferences, women representatives and civil society activists were not present at the third Doha conference.
The absence of women representatives and civil society activists prompted widespread international criticism of the UN’s actions, with many human rights organizations accusing the organization of colluding with the Taliban.
