Afghanistan is set to be one of the topics of discussion at the upcoming Oslo Forum, according to two senior Western diplomats familiar with the planning of the annual high-level retreat.
The forum, which has convened each year since 2003, is scheduled to take place either at the end of the first week or the beginning of the second week of June, the sources told Amu. While the event is held behind closed doors, it is recognized as a prominent venue for informal dialogue on global conflicts and mediation.
According to the diplomats, representatives of the Taliban have participated in the forum at a mid-level capacity in past years, particularly after the collapse of Afghanistan’s former government in August 2021. The Oslo Forum’s official website also confirms that Afghanistan has been included among its discussion areas.
The Forum, jointly hosted by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, brings together mediators, political figures, and conflict stakeholders for off-the-record discussions aimed at resolving disputes. Its stated aim is to create a safe, confidential environment in which participants can explore avenues toward peace.
“As a platform for advancing dialogue, the Oslo Forum has successfully brought together actors from opposing sides of political conflicts in countries such as Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, Colombia, Venezuela, and the Philippines,” the Forum’s description reads. The 2024 edition is being held under the theme “Mediation Against All Odds.”
It remains unclear whether Taliban officials will be invited to this year’s session. The forum has not yet published a confirmed list of participants or the exact dates of the gathering.
Human rights advocates and members of Afghanistan’s civil society are urging international actors to ensure that any engagement on Afghanistan promotes inclusive governance and the protection of fundamental rights, particularly for women and minorities.
“The people of Afghanistan want a political system that is inclusive of all ethnic and minority groups, one where women have a meaningful role in political, social, and cultural life,” said Fatema Karimi, a civil society activist. “Afghan women make up half the population and must have a say in shaping the country’s future.”
Calls for inclusive governance have grown louder as the Taliban, now in control for nearly four years, continue to exclude women from public life and impose increasingly restrictive policies. Rights groups have criticized international efforts to engage the Taliban without ensuring human rights protections.
Whether the Oslo Forum will serve as a venue for further engagement with Taliban representatives remains to be seen. Organizers have declined to comment publicly on potential attendees or the precise agenda for the 2024 gathering.
