The United Nations Security Council is holding a open briefing on Afghanistan today, Monday, 23 June, as part of its regular quarterly discussions. The session will address the country’s political situation, human rights conditions, and ongoing humanitarian needs.
Roza Otunbayeva, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), is expected to brief the Council, alongside Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, and Sima Sami Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women.
According to an official UN report released on Sunday, the public session will be followed by closed consultations among Security Council members. Several regional countries are also expected to participate in the meeting.
A key focus of today’s discussions will be the Taliban’s restrictive and discriminatory policies, particularly those targeting women and girls. Otunbayeva is also anticipated to present updates on the next steps in the Doha process, an initiative launched in 2023 to coordinate international engagement with the Taliban.
The previous Security Council session on Afghanistan, held on 10 March 2025, raised serious concerns about human rights violations, the growing presence of terrorist groups, and the extension of UNAMA’s mandate. Otunbayeva's forthcoming remarks are expected to address these ongoing issues and outline future UN efforts in the country.
