A two-day UN conference in Doha focused on Afghanistan and relations with the hardline Islamist Taliban government kicked off on Sunday evening with representatives from about 30 countries and international organizations, a UN official confirmed to dpa.
The closed-door meeting aims to bolster international engagement with the Taliban government and includes a Taliban delegation for the first time since their return to power.
Taliban delegation, led by Taliban chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, held initial discussions with representatives from countries like Russia, India, and Saudi Arabia before the main conference, according to their statements.
The main conference will see opening remarks from UN Under Secretary General Rosemary DiCarlo and the Qatari delegation, followed by an address from the Taliban delegation, according to a copy of the meeting agenda obtained by Afghan media. Each representative will then have three minutes to speak during an opening session.
The second day of the meeting will focus on discussions about Afghanistan's private sector and counter-narcotic efforts.
Mujahid framed the meeting as an opportunity for Afghanistan and the international community to find common ground. Before departure to Doha, he emphasized that internal Afghan matters, considered domestic concerns, would be considered off the table by the delegation.
The Taliban participation marks a shift from February when they refused to attend a similar meeting. While the UN has pushed a broader agenda including human rights, women's rights, and political inclusiveness, the Taliban remain wary of outside influence.
The group rejects the participation of other Afghan groups, including women, insisting on being the sole representative of Afghanistan at international meetings to prevent foreign interference.
The UN's DiCarlo, who is chairing the meeting, plans to meet separately with Afghan activists on Tuesday.
According to UN officials, her focus during all Doha discussions will be on raising the concerns of women and girls, human rights in general and the importance of political inclusion within Afghanistan.
The UN's ultimate goal is a peaceful, stable Afghanistan integrated into the international community and fulfilling its human rights commitments, particularly those of women and girls, DiCarlo said ahead of the meeting.
Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have rejected calls for the formation of an inclusive government and to ensure women's rights to education and work. As a result, no country has recognized their government.
The country's banking reserves are frozen in the West, and senior Taliban leaders are on US wanted lists.
Recent gestures, like the UN easing travel restrictions for some key Taliban leaders, and the European Union announcing a humanitarian aid package to the country, suggest a potential softening of the international stance.
However, the Taliban remains resistant to certain UN efforts. They opposed, for instance, the appointment of a UN special envoy.