The UN Security Council on Friday adopted a resolution to renew the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for a year.

Resolution 2727, which won the unanimous support of the 15-member council, decided to extend UNAMA's mandate until March 17, 2025.

The draft resolution for the renewal of the UNAMA mandate has been prepared by Japan, and the majority of its members agree on this draft.

The resolution stresses the critical importance of a continued presence of UNAMA and other UN agencies, funds and programs across Afghanistan.

“The resolution we have just adopted ensures that UNAMA will remain equipped with a sufficient, robust and flexible mandate as it tackles the multifaceted challenges faced by Afghanistan. UNAMA’s role is more important than ever in addressing the worsening humanitarian and human rights situation, especially for women and girls,” the Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, Yamazaki Kazuyuki said.

“We are pleased that today's resolution highlights UNAMA's crucial role in promoting peace, stability, and inclusive governance in Afghanistan, particularly in monitoring and reporting on human rights, including the situation of women and girls,” said Naseer Ahmad Faiq, Chargé d'Affaires of the Afghanistan Permanent Mission to the UN.

In this meeting, representatives of the United States and Russia emphasized peace and stability in Afghanistan. 

“Regarding a UN Special Envoy, we again call on the UN to fully implement Resolution 2721: Undertaking consultations and, ultimately, appointing someone to work with the international community, the Taliban, and Afghans. The Afghan people deserve to see peace, security, and stability; to enjoy human rights and fundamental freedoms. Let us continue to work together to create that reality,” said Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US ambassador to the United Nations.

The representative of Russia asserted that cooperation with the current Afghan government is vital to establishing a lasting peace in Afghanistan.

“We are convinced that the Security Council's consistent support for the efforts of UNAMA sends a signal to the people of Afghanistan about the international community's shared commitment to establishing long-awaited peace and stability in that much suffered country. Pragmatic interaction between UNAMA and the de facto authorities on all issues related to United Nations’ tasks in Afghanistan remains an imperative,” said Anna Evstigneeva, Deputy Representative of Russia to the UN.

The representative of China, meanwhile, expressed regret that the resolution failed to reflect the latest developments in Afghanistan, stating that — over two years after the withdrawal of foreign troops — the country’s overall domestic situation is stable.

"The international community should strengthen its engagement with the Afghan interim government to ensure humanitarian assistance on the one hand, and provide more help in mine clearance, alternative cultivation, restoration of the banking system, unfreezing of overall assets, and safeguarding the rights and interests of the entire population on the other," Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations said.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) was established by the United Nations Security Council with Resolution 1401 on March 28, 2002, to support Afghanistan in governance, security, and development.