The foreign ministers of China, Iran, Pakistan and Russia called on Taliban to dismantle terrorist groups, form an inclusive government and improve conditions for women and minorities, according to a joint statement issued Thursday on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly in New York.
In the 11-point statement, the ministers reaffirmed support for Afghanistan as an independent, united and stable country free from terrorism, war and drug trafficking. They also expressed readiness to expand regional economic cooperation with Afghanistan.
The meeting, initiated by Russia, marked the fourth round of quadrilateral talks between the four nations on Afghanistan.
The ministers voiced deep concern over the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan, including the Islamic State group, al-Qaida, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, Jaish al-Adl, and the Balochistan Liberation Army, warning that these groups continue to pose serious threats to regional and global security.
They urged the Taliban to take “effective, verifiable measures” to combat terrorism, eliminate all terrorist groups, and prevent them from recruiting, fundraising, acquiring weapons or cooperating with foreign fighters. The countries also called for the dismantling of any terrorist training camps and infrastructure within Afghanistan.
On the humanitarian front, the ministers urged the international community to increase emergency aid for Afghans, emphasizing that such assistance should be delivered free from political considerations. They also highlighted the importance of restoring Afghanistan’s economy and praised efforts by Afghan authorities to curb opium cultivation, while calling for stronger action against synthetic drug production and trafficking.
The joint statement emphasized the importance of establishing an inclusive political system that reflects the will of all Afghan people, including ethnic and religious groups. It also called for women and girls to have full access to education, jobs, public life, justice, and basic services, stating that their participation is essential for Afghanistan’s peace and prosperity.
Addressing the issue of Afghan refugees, the four countries asked the Taliban to facilitate voluntary returns and support reintegration. They also thanked Iran and Pakistan for hosting millions of Afghan refugees and called on international donors to provide sustainable financial support for refugee-hosting countries.
The ministers called on NATO members to take responsibility for the consequences of their military presence in Afghanistan, urging them to lift unilateral sanctions, return Afghanistan’s frozen assets, and avoid any reestablishment of foreign military bases in or around the country.
Finally, they endorsed all diplomatic efforts toward a political solution in Afghanistan and supported ongoing regional mechanisms such as the Moscow Format, the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of Afghanistan’s Neighboring Countries, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The ministers welcomed a recent four-party meeting of special envoys on Afghanistan held Sept. 12 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, and pledged to continue their consultations.
