United Nations Invites Taliban to Donors’ Meeting

The Taliban, citing Roza Otunbayeva, head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), announced that the UN is organising a meeting focused on alternatives to poppy cultivation, drug treatment, and support for farmers.

The statement notes that representatives from various countries, organisations, and the Taliban will be invited. However, the Taliban’s Prime Minister's Office (ARG), in a post on the social media platform X, did not specify the meeting's location or timing.

Afghanistan International has learned that the meeting is likely to be held next month in Dubai. Sources describe this gathering as another effort to engage with the Taliban, which the group plans to push for its official recognition during the event. Pro-Taliban organisations are also said to be promoting related proposals.

The Taliban confirmed that Abdul Kabir, the group's Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs, and Roza Otunbayeva discussed the meeting at the Arg in Kabul on Wednesday. Otunbayeva emphasised on the need for significant action to eradicate poppy cultivation and promote alternative crops.

The statement also mentions that Otunbayeva recently visited southern Afghanistan to further discuss the matter with Abdul Kabir. She is expected to present UNAMA's quarterly report on Afghanistan to the UN Security Council.

During the meeting, Abdul Kabir claimed that the Taliban prohibits the cultivation or harvesting of drugs in Afghanistan. He called for international support in combating drug production and urged UNAMA to present the "facts and progress" in Afghanistan to the UN Security Council.

The Security Council is scheduled to meet in September, where a representative from the United Nations in Afghanistan will be present.