CICA Secretary General Ambassador Kairat Sarybay held an online meeting with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and Head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) Roza Otunbayeva on 15 January 2024.
The CICA Secretary General informed the UNSG's Special Representative about the processes in CICA and the expansion of its geography.
Ambassador Kairat Sarybay highlighted the implementation of the priorities of the Kazakh Chairmanship in CICA, including the establishment and operationalization of the CICA Fund. The intention was expressed to cooperate with the UN agencies working in Afghanistan in the implementation of pilot projects.
Special Representative Roza Otunbayeva provided an update on the current state of affairs, the activities of the Mission and UN agencies, as well as on the main vectors of the development of contacts with the de facto government of Afghanistan. She pointed out challenges requiring attention and joint efforts of the international community to overcome them.
The Head of the UN Mission shared the assessments of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, indicating a 95 per cent reduction in opium poppy cultivation by the de facto authorities of Afghanistan. In this regard, there is a need for increased support from international donors and actors, including regional ones, to assist Afghan farmers in transitioning to alternative crops. It is also imperative to focus on promoting the treatment and social reintegration of drug-dependent persons, including women and children.
The parties agreed to continue consultations between the CICA Secretariat and the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan.
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