Statement by

H.E. Mr. Amir Saeid Iravani

Ambassador and Permanent Representative

of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations

Before UN Security Council Briefing

on “Situation in Afghanistan”

New York, 20 December 2022

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

Madam. President,

I thank you, madam President, for organizing this meeting as well as for your briefing as the chair of the 1988 committee. I also thank Ms. Roza Otunbayeva, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, and Mr. Martine Griffiths, the Under-Secretary-General, for their updated and informative briefings.

Madam. President,

Despite the UN’s efforts, the current situation in Afghanistan is challenging. The Secretary-General’s latest report indicates that 28.3 million Afghans will require humanitarian and protection assistance in 2023, up from 24.4 million in 2022 and 18.4 million at the beginning of 2021. 

Meanwhile, the de facto authorities have failed to keep their pledges, particularly on the establishment of an inclusive and representative government.

On the economic situation, the Secretary-General report states that the de facto authorities have so far implemented positive steps, including anti-corruption efforts, which can serve as a basis for a stable and recoverable economic condition in the years ahead.

Madam. President,

While humanitarian assistance is vital for Afghanistan, it is not a long-term solution, and the country's economy must take priority. If the Afghan economy's revival is conditional or political, the Afghan people will suffer and be harmed. In the meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan should not be overlooked or overwhelmed by other conflicts.

As we have often emphasized, frozen assets belong to the people and must be unconditionally returned in order to help the Afghan economy. Regrettably, rather than accepting responsibility for its reckless withdrawal, the US has resorted to unfounded grounds to justify its unlawful acts, including the continued blocking of assets, which are critical for economic revival. Sanction regimes, however, must not obstruct attempts to rebuild the economy.

We support UNAMA's efforts and its contact with de facto authorities to help the Afghan people, particularly in terms of scaling up the humanitarian response and striving to end the economic calamity. At the same time, de facto authorities must uphold their international obligations, particularly by ensuring Afghan women and girls have access to education. For the benefit of the people, the international community must sustain its engagement with Afghanistan.

Madam. President,

We would like to emphasize once more the serious threat that the presence of Daesh and Al-Qaida affiliates in Afghanistan poses to the peace and security of Afghanistan, its neighbors, and the whole region.

Drug trafficking is another major problem. The recent UNODC report is concerning and alarming. According to the report, Opium cultivation has increased by 32% since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, compared to the previous year.

It is a fact that if the international community does not continue to support Afghanistan's economic recovery, the current situation will continue to create a vulnerable environment where extremists, terrorists, and drug traffickers will be able to exploit and recruit vulnerable people to further their destructive objectives.

Madam. President,

Iran has used its expertise and resources to assist the Afghan people in overcoming their difficulties as a neighbor that is host to millions of Afghans.

Iran has generously provided the necessary assistance to Afghan people who have lived in Iran for more than 40 years, despite receiving little support from the international community and being subjected to severe and brutal US sanctions. At the present, Iran offers free education and training to all Afghan students living there. According to estimates, Iran needs to provide $1 billion in annual subsidies to host and shelter 5 million Afghans.

We have said time and again that Iran and other neighbors should not bear the whole responsibility of admitting Afghan refugees. On the basis of shared responsibility, other countries, in particular those that assert to support the human rights of Afghans, especially women and girls, should accept refugees.

Madam. President,

As emphasized by the Secretary-General in his report, peace and stability must be established on the protection of all Afghans' fundamental rights as well as an inclusive and democratic government that represents the people's aspirations and interests, and comprehensive security and counter-terrorism assurances. 

Iran continues to support the UN's efforts to accomplish this goal for the sake of the Afghan people.

I thank you.