The Qatari capital is set to host a new round of meetings on Afghanistan, as part of the ongoing Doha Process spearheaded by the United Nations, with Taliban representatives expected to take part, according to Western diplomatic sources.
Scheduled for June 30 and July 1, the meetings will include working groups focused on strengthening the private sector and combating narcotics trafficking. Roza Otunbayeva, the U.N. Secretary-General’s special envoy for Afghanistan, said the gatherings are a continuation of the third round of the Doha talks earlier this year and are intended to foster constructive dialogue among stakeholders.
The Permanent Mission of Qatar to the United Nations confirmed the dates in a recent Security Council briefing on Afghanistan.
Diplomatic sources in Doha say preparations are underway, and the participation of Taliban officials has been confirmed, though no formal statement has yet been issued by the group.
This will mark the third meeting of the working group on counternarcotics and the second focused on the private sector.
As the meetings approach, political consultations in Doha have intensified. Meanwhile, Afghan civil society groups and human rights advocates are calling for human rights—particularly women’s rights—to be made central to the agenda.
“We expect these talks to focus on protecting human rights, especially the rights of women and girls,” said Farzana Rezai, a human rights advocate. “The international community must also address the humanitarian and economic crises affecting Afghan migrants, and safeguard civil liberties within the country.”
The talks come at a time of deepening economic hardship in Afghanistan, where humanitarian aid has significantly declined. U.N. officials and Afghan citizens alike are urging the international community not to abandon the country during a time of growing need.
