In a joint statement, the special representatives of 11 countries and the European Union stressed on the need to achieve long-term stability in Afghanistan through national dialogue.
The countries also expressed concern about the consequences of the Taliban's decision to ban girls from studying in medical institutes, especially mothers and infants – both born and unborn, both boys and girls – and will further destabilise an already fragile healthcare system.
A joint statement issued by the G7 and Afghan representatives on Friday, December 20, said that the Taliban's decision to ban girls' education in medical institutes will have devastating consequences for the country's citizens.
In a joint statement issued after the conclusion of a meeting on Afghanistan in Geneva, the special representatives of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, South Korea, Switzerland, Turkiye, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union, stressed that the Taliban's restrictions on women and girls should be lifted immediately.
According to the statement, the meeting, which was held on Monday, December 16, was attended by the deputy of UNAMA, the UN special rapporteur on human rights, representatives of the World Bank and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation as observers.
The joint statement also said that long-term stability in Afghanistan requires a credible and inclusive national dialogue that leads to the formation of an inclusive, constitutionally-based system with responsible political leaders.
Representatives of the G7 and Afghanistan pointed to the ongoing threat of terrorism to Afghanistan's security and stability and reviewed the Taliban's actions to counter terrorist threats from ISIS. They stressed that the Taliban must take action to counter terrorist threats.
"Some terrorist groups are still living safely inside Afghanistan and are capable of planning and executing domestic and cross-border terrorist attacks," the statement said.
According to the statement, the delegates asked the UN Secretary-General to appoint a special envoy for Afghanistan to follow up on the process between Afghan actors and the international community to achieve peace.
They also stressed on the need for governmental and non-governmental humanitarian organisations to work in Afghanistan and the need to continue helping Afghans.
