The UN Secretary-General on February 19 highlighted the urgent need for an end to restrictions imposed by the Taliban de facto authorities on women and girls in Afghanistan, the United Nations reported. Speaking to journalists during a two-day meeting with regional and national special envoys for Afghanistan, António Guterres said that there was consensus among delegates over what needs to happen, although the Taliban are not taking part.

“We want an Afghanistan in peace, peace with itself and peace with its neighbours and able to assume the commitments and the international obligations of a sovereign State … in relation to the international community, its neighbours and in relation to the rights of its own populations,” he said.

There was also consensus on the process to reach this objective, he added, noting proposals outlined in an independent review on an integrated and coherent approach conducted by Feridun Sinirlioğlu, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye in line with Security Council resolution 2679.

It covered all the main areas of concern, Guterres said, including ensuring Afghanistan does not become a “hotbed” of terrorist activity and that it has inclusive institutions in which all its diverse groups feel represented in a “truly inclusive” State. The review notes the importance of upholding human rights, in particular for women and girls, and a recognition of the progress made in combatting drug production and drug trafficking.

The UN chief also underscored the need for effective humanitarian assistance to the country as well as long-term questions on Afghanistan’s future development. Guterres further noted ongoing cooperation between Afghanistan and neighbouring countries, such as trade and infrastructure development or bilateral arrangements on combatting illicit drug trade.

However, there is a set of key questions “in which we are stuck,” he added. 

“On one hand, Afghanistan remains with a government that is not recognized internationally and in many aspects not integrated in the global institutions and global economy,” he said. 

There is a widespread international perception of worsening human rights conditions, particularly concerning women and girls. The UN chief highlighted the dilemma, likening it to the "chicken or the egg" scenario, emphasizing the necessity to break the deadlock and devise a shared roadmap that addresses both international concerns and those of the de facto authorities simultaneously.

The UN chief responded to a question regarding the absence of Taliban de facto authorities by stating that the group had set conditions for their participation that were deemed unacceptable. These conditions included restrictions on the UN's ability to engage with other representatives of Afghan society and demanded a level of treatment that resembled recognition, which was not feasible.

“These conditions first of all denied us the right to talk to other representatives of the Afghan society and demanded a treatment that would, I would say, to a large extent be similar to recognition,” Guterres noted.

Guterres remarked that the meeting was highly beneficial and the discussions held were crucial. He emphasized the importance of having the opportunity to engage with the de facto authorities to further discuss the conclusions reached during the meeting. While this did not occur on the day of the meeting, he expressed confidence that such discussions would take place in the near future.

Central Asia’s stance on Afghanistan 

The ongoing situation in Afghanistan continues to present difficulties for nations in Central Asia. On September 6, Tajik authorities revealed that Tajik forces had eliminated three individuals belonging to a "terrorist group" who had infiltrated Tajikistan from Afghanistan. These individuals, as per Tajik officials, had crossed over from Afghanistan with the intention of launching a terrorist attack on September 9, coinciding with Tajikistan’s national holiday.

Additionally, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have expressed apprehension regarding the construction of the Qosh Tepa irrigation canal in Afghanistan, a project valued at $684mn which concluded its initial phase in October. During a conference held in Tajikistan in September, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan reportedly cautioned that the canal's construction could significantly alter the water distribution and equilibrium in Central Asia.

Furthermore, on November 28 2023, the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) organized the thirteenth annual gathering of deputy foreign ministers from Central Asian nations. During this event, participants deliberated on strategies to tackle various challenges confronting the region, including climate change, management of transboundary water resources, terrorism, and risks associated with the situation in Afghanistan. Discussions also revolved around enhancing UNRCCA's support for preventive diplomacy initiatives, emphasizing the importance of greater involvement of women and youth in decision-making processes.

UZBEKISTAN 

Uzbekistan remains committed to providing humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan through its logistics hub in Termiz. The nation continues efforts to educate and train Afghan citizens via its Education Center.

President Mirziyoyev emphasized the necessity of developing mechanisms to address social issues in Afghanistan while maintaining humanitarian aid provision during his address at the Organization of Turkic States summit on November 3. He underlined the importance of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan actively engaged in regional partnerships and economic cooperation with neighboring countries.

"We call for the development of specific mechanisms aimed at solving acute social problems in this country, not to weaken the provision of humanitarian aid to the Afghan people. We need a peaceful and stable Afghanistan that actively participates in the processes of regional partnership and economic cooperation with all its neighbors," President Mirziyoyev reiterated during his speech.

In a bid to showcase Uzbekistan's solidarity with Afghanistan, President Mirziyoyev proposed the construction of the Trans-Afghan railway during the summit. This visionary initiative seeks to bolster regional connectivity and foster economic collaboration, thereby contributing to Afghanistan's stability and integration into the geopolitical landscape. The collaborative railway project, involving Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, aims to promote regional connectivity. Negotiations centered on agreements regarding road transport fees and the development of transit transport routes through Afghanistan, enhancing trade and connectivity among participating nations. Discussions also addressed tariff rates for rail transport.

The historical significance of this collaboration dates back to February 2021 when authorities from the involved nations signed a roadmap for the railway's construction. Subsequent milestones include completing field research and establishing consensus on railway gauge width. A project office was set up in Tashkent in May of the same year to streamline coordination. Envisioned as a comprehensive transport corridor with a transit capacity of up to 20 mn tons of cargo, the project's estimated cost is around $5bn. Upon completion, it is expected to connect Europe, Russia, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, and extend further to Southeast Asian states.

Mullah Bakht ur Rehman Sharafat, representing the Taliban-led government's Afghan National Railways, visited Uzbekistan on February 19, 2024. This visit focused on participating in a crucial meeting regarding the Trans-Afghan project and expanding bilateral cooperation, underscoring the ongoing collaboration between the two nations.

For more than 15 years, Tashkent has been providing electricity to Kabul. In 2018, there was a 35% reduction in the electricity price. The introduction of a new electric transmission line will enable a 70% increase in electricity supply from Uzbekistan to Afghanistan. This not only addresses issues with power outages in rural areas but also creates new prospects for establishing businesses and generating employment opportunities. Simultaneously, the power transmission line will link Kabul to the unified energy system of Central Asia, facilitating the opportunity for other Central Asian nations to supply electricity to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India as part of the CASA-1000 project.

KAZAKHSTAN 

Kazakhstan, not sharing a direct border with Afghanistan, perceives no immediate threat to its national security from the Taliban. As a result, Kazakhstan does not feel compelled to make conspicuous declarations and has opted for a cautious approach, preferring to observe developments until the situation becomes clearer. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan prioritizes resolving the Afghan issue as one of its primary objectives. Despite Kazakhstan's reserved stance, it, like Uzbekistan, remains committed to extending humanitarian aid to the beleaguered Afghan populace and assumes a peacekeeping role, recognizing the potential for Afghanistan's situation to adversely impact the broader geopolitical landscape across Central Asia.

Kazakhstan consistently supports Uzbekistan's peacekeeping efforts and initiates similar endeavors itself. For instance, during the 47th session of the UN General Assembly on October 5, 1992, the First President of Kazakhstan proposed the idea of convening a Conference on Interaction and Confidence-building Measures in Asia (CICMA). The primary objective of CICMA is to foster amicable relations among member states, including Afghanistan. Operating under the principle of security through cooperation, Kazakhstan stands prepared to utilize the platform of the Conference to address the Afghan situation.

Kazakhstan is collaborating closely with the United Nations (UN) to address the humanitarian and food crisis in Afghanistan. The UN is assisting Kazakhstan in enhancing its humanitarian aid efforts. Additionally, the UN is endorsing Kazakhstan's proposal to establish a logistics hub in Almaty for the efficient delivery of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. It is significant to note that in response to the worsening situation in Afghanistan, both the UN and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have relocated their offices from Kabul to Almaty.

Recently, while addressing the advisory council members of the State of Qatar, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan underscored the significance of regional security and stability, particularly in Afghanistan. President Tokayev deliberated on the decision to delist the Taliban as a prohibited organization. He also emphasized Kazakhstan's continuous support to Afghanistan through multiple avenues, including the United Nations and other international bodies. The decision to remove the Taliban from the list of terrorist organizations is seen as a move towards bolstering economic collaboration with Afghanistan and fostering the country's integration into the global community.

KYRGYZSTAN 

The relationship between Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan encompasses various dimensions, including diplomatic cooperation, trade relations, and humanitarian assistance. Diplomatically, both countries have engaged in discussions and initiatives aimed at addressing common regional challenges, particularly concerning security issues such as terrorism and drug trafficking. 

President Japarov's remarks during the Sixth Regional Dialogue of Security Council Secretaries/National Security Advisors on Afghanistan in Bishkek underscore the shared concern over terrorism, drug trafficking, and economic fragility in Afghanistan. President Japarov emphasized the importance of collective action and international cooperation in addressing these challenges, highlighting Kyrgyzstan's commitment to providing humanitarian aid and fostering economic and cultural ties with Afghanistan.

In terms of trade relations, there has been significant economic exchange between Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan. According to Kyrgyzstan's National Statistical Committee, trade with Afghanistan has seen notable figures, with exports exceeding $11.9mn and imports surpassing $2.1mn in September 2023. Kyrgyzstan exports various goods to Afghanistan, including legumes, vegetables, automobile gasoline, petroleum products, cars, onions, garlic, vegetable oils, seeds, dried vegetables, and living plants. On the other hand, Kyrgyzstan imports aluminum, cucumbers, gherkins, water, rice, plastic containers, and other commodities from Afghanistan.

Furthermore, Kyrgyzstan has demonstrated its commitment to providing humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, especially in times of crisis such as natural disasters. President Japarov reiterated Kyrgyzstan's dedication to offering essential supplies like food and medicine to those affected by recent calamities in remote regions of Afghanistan.

TAJIKISTAN 

Tajikistan stands out as the most vocal critic of the Taliban within Central Asia. Following the Taliban's assumption of power, President Rahmon firmly stated that Tajikistan would not recognize the Taliban's Islamic Emirate, denouncing it as a regime established through oppressive means. He criticized the Taliban for disregarding the rights of ethnic Tajiks in Afghanistan and affirmed his backing for an inclusive government in the country. In response, the Taliban cautioned Tajikistan against interfering in Afghanistan's internal affairs. The exchange of rhetoric became so acrimonious that in October 2021, then-Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan intervened by contacting President Rahmon to urge a moderation of his criticism.

Tajik officials have consistently raised concerns about drug trafficking and the influx of refugees across the 1,360-kilometer border with Afghanistan. Historically, Tajikistan has served as a temporary refuge for Afghans fleeing persecution, economic hardship, and instability in their homeland. Thousands of Afghans crossed the rugged border into Tajikistan both before and after the Taliban's return to power. According to the UNHCR, approximately 10,000 Afghan refugees currently reside in Tajikistan, many of whom aspire to migrate to Europe, the United States, and notably Canada, which has already accepted 40,000 vulnerable Afghans and expressed willingness to accommodate more.

While Tajikistan has occasionally deported Afghans for violating regulations that prohibit refugees from settling in Tajik cities, enforcement of such rules has been inconsistent. Tajikistan has largely adhered to the UNHCR's "global non-return advisory" for countries hosting Afghan refugees. 

While many Central Asian nations have chosen to interact with the Taliban and have even considered potential trade and investment ventures, Tajikistan has taken a different stance. Instead, Tajikistan appears to have established clear boundaries. Although there have been occasional actions suggesting a partial normalization of relations, it is improbable that Dushanbe's fundamental approach to the Taliban will shift in the foreseeable future.

TURKMENISTAN

Turkmenistan shares a border with northwest Afghanistan, adjoining the Afghan provinces of Herat, Badghis, Faryab, and Jowzjan. This border spans 462 miles (744 kilometers) across a plain stretching from northern Afghanistan into Turkmenistan's Karakum Desert. 

Under the leadership of President Berdimuhamedow, Turkmenistan has played a modest yet constructive role in Afghanistan's development and reconstruction efforts. Ashgabat has provided humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and forgiven a portion of Kabul's debt related to Turkmen electrical power. Furthermore, Turkmenistan continues to supply Afghanistan with energy at reduced rates, and efforts have been made to rebuild a section of the railway linking the two nations.

Turkmenistan boasts some of the world's largest untapped oil and natural gas reserves. Although existing pipelines extend west across the Caspian Sea, north through Russia, and south across Iran, Turkmenistan seeks access to India and other Asian markets, crucial for sustaining their rapid economic growth. The proposed Trans-Afghan natural gas pipeline, also known as the TAPI pipeline, aims to transport natural gas from Turkmenistan's Dauletabad gas field through Afghanistan to Pakistan and India. 

This pipeline, spanning 1,680 kilometers (with 735 kilometers traversing Afghanistan), is projected to generate over $200mn in annual revenue for Afghanistan and create approximately 12,000 new jobs. Despite plans for construction to commence in 2010 and conclude by 2015 with an estimated cost of $7.6bn, various challenges, including security concerns in Afghanistan and Pakistan, pricing issues, financing limitations, and geopolitical tensions, have hindered the realization of the TAPI project.

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