In a significant diplomatic assembly held in Kazan, Russia, delegates from various nations gathered for the fifth session of the Moscow Format Consultation on Afghanistan. Taking place on September 29, 2023, this high-level meeting welcomed special representatives and senior officials from a range of countries, including India, Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and others. Noteworthy attendees included the acting minister for Foreign Affairs appointed by the Taliban in Afghanistan, as well as representatives from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey.
The central focus of this diplomatic summit was a comprehensive discussion on the evolving situation in Afghanistan, with a particular emphasis on regional security dynamics and the integration of Afghanistan into the economic processes of its neighboring regions.
A pivotal outcome of the meeting was the unanimous call to the Taliban for the establishment of an inclusive government system that genuinely represents the interests of all significant ethnopolitical groups within Afghanistan. Furthermore, the participants urged the Taliban to intensify their efforts in the realms of counter-terrorism and anti-drug initiatives.
A notable point of consensus among the delegates was the collective demand for the immediate and unconditional release of Afghan assets by Washington and its allies. These assets are of paramount importance for the post-conflict economic reconstruction of Afghanistan. The attendees strongly opposed any potential resurgence of US and NATO military structures within Afghanistan or its neighboring territories, underscoring their firm rejection of such a prospect.
As the meeting approached its conclusion, the participants jointly endorsed the “Kazan Declaration of the Moscow Format of Consultation on Afghanistan.” This declaration symbolized their shared commitment to addressing the multifaceted challenges confronting Afghanistan and the broader region.
This international gathering follows earlier discussions at the United Nations, where 11 nations voiced their concerns regarding the treatment of women and girls under the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. The participating countries, including the United States, France, Britain, Japan, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, Ecuador, Albania, and Malta, characterized the actions of the Taliban as “gender-based violence” and called for global support in establishing “gender apartheid” within international law.
The representative from the Women’s Rights Council specifically urged the Taliban to revoke all policies that restrict women’s education and employment opportunities. Afghan women have been actively protesting against the Taliban’s policies, including resorting to hunger strikes, as they continue to advocate for their rights.