Afghan apolitical and civil society figures gathered in London on Tuesday for a second round of talks aimed at building trust, strengthening coordination and identifying shared priorities for Afghanistan’s future.
The meeting, titled “Toward Unity and Trust,” brought together about 40 participants, including representatives of major political parties, dialogue platforms, civil society organizations, media outlets and other prominent Afghan figures, according to the organizers, Women for Afghanistan.
Organizers said the talks were part of an ongoing effort to promote unity and reinforce shared principles among Afghan stakeholders as the country faces a prolonged political and humanitarian crisis. According to their statement, the first day was intended to deepen understanding among participants by building on areas of consensus identified during the first round of talks, which was held last year in Islamabad.
The discussions also focused on what organizers described as a common vision for Afghanistan’s future, including priorities that could help shape a country that Afghans “deserve and aspire to.” The second day was devoted in part to meetings with diplomats, ambassadors, members of Britain’s House of Commons and House of Lords, and British civil society groups and think tanks, in an effort to broaden international understanding of Afghan priorities.
Participants on the first day of the meeting framed the discussion in broad political and civic terms.
Hussain Yasa, one of the participants, said his central vision was of “an Afghanistan free of discrimination, a prosperous land and a country usable for all its citizens.” His remarks reflected a recurring theme in the meeting: that any future political framework would need to be inclusive and broadly representative.
Another participant, Bashir Ahmad Ansari, said the conversation should begin with what he described as first principles. “The first principle on which everyone should agree is independence externally and freedom internally,” he said. “Another important issue is social justice.”
On the second and final day of the gathering, participants met with British officials and international interlocutors. Masoud Trishtwal, another participant, said the discussions underscored the need for continued consultation and a more coordinated approach. He said participants emphasized “the necessity of dialogue and exchange of views to solve Afghanistan’s problems” and described cohesion and coordination among all sides involved in Afghanistan’s affairs as essential.
That emphasis on internal dialogue was central to the conference’s stated purpose. In its statement, Women for Afghanistan said it hoped the talks would help rebuild trust, encourage constructive engagement and identify shared priorities in support of “a peaceful, stable, just, and inclusive future for Afghanistan, where women play a central and meaningful role.”
The London meeting was the second in what organizers described as a continuing dialogue process. The first round was held in Islamabad in October 2025.
