UK ambassador gives statement on Taliban at UN Security Council

Ambassador Barbara Woodward has delivered at statement at the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Afghanistan.

She said: "Since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, the situation for the Afghan people has been defined by humanitarian suffering, economic hardship, and a relentless assault on human rights."

Woodward pointed out that two thirds of the Afghan population are in humanitarian need and that economic output has decreased by over 20 per cent since 2021. Also over two million girls between years seven and 11 are unable formally to access secondary school education.

She stated: "The Afghan people remain our priority – so how can we collectively navigate the months ahead:

"First, our commitment to provide support for Afghans remains resolute. We support UN efforts to provide assistance despite the challenging context, while holding firm on the principle that there should be no delivery of aid without women."

She added: "Second, the international community should remain united in our message to the Taliban. We have set out our expectations in consecutive Council resolutions: on humanitarian access, cutting ties with terrorists, respect for human rights and inclusive governance."

She ended by stating that "while the Taliban continue on this path, international recognition will not be on the table, sanctions relief and development assistance will not come."

Woodward said: "Afghanistan cannot be self-reliant when 50 percent of its population is excluded from society and history has shown that there can be no stable and durable peace whilst large swathes of society and ethnic groups are excluded."

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