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An Afghan Taliban delegation is set to participate in the third round of the United Nations-hosted meeting of Special Envoys and Special Representatives on Afghanistan in Doha, Qatar. This marks the first time the de facto Afghan rulers will attend such a gathering since the process began in May 2023, with the aim of developing a unified world approach to engagement with the Taliban.
The Taliban government, yet to receive official recognition, will face discussions on various issues, including women’s rights, at the conference. The meeting will focus on enabling the private sector, countering narcotics, and sustaining progress in Afghanistan, with nearly 30 countries and international bodies participating.
Despite concerns over the exclusion of civil society groups, including women’s rights activists, from official talks, they will have an opportunity to engage with envoys and UN officials separately following the conference.
What do the Taliban expect?
Prior to the event, Taliban representatives urged participating countries to engage constructively with Afghanistan, emphasizing the need for a unified Afghan representation in international forums to avoid perceptions of division. However, international experts stress the importance of pressing the Taliban on issues such as inclusive governance, women’s rights, media freedom, and combating militant networks.
Additional input from AFP