UN-Led Meetings in Doha Focus on Afghanistan’s Private Sector and Counternarcotics Efforts

A series of United Nations-facilitated working group meetings on Afghanistan wrapped up in Doha last week, with a strong call for increased international engagement and practical support for the Afghan people. Organized by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), the meetings on June 30 and July 1 brought together representatives from 26 UN Member States, international organizations, delegates from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), and subject-matter experts.

The discussions focused on two critical areas: revitalizing Afghanistan’s struggling private sector and addressing the complex challenges of drug production, trafficking, and treatment.

Roza Otunbayeva, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of UNAMA, emphasized the importance of these efforts, stating, “Supporting the private sector and counternarcotics efforts is a strategic, economic, and humanitarian imperative.” She also highlighted the need to engage the IEA on their international obligations and underscored the essential role of women and girls in Afghanistan’s economic recovery and broader society.

The counternarcotics working group explored a joint action plan aimed at creating alternative livelihoods for poppy farmers, alongside strategies for drug prevention and treatment programs. Participants also addressed transnational issues such as drug trafficking, cross-border coordination, and the need for stronger law enforcement mechanisms.

The private sector working group, developed through prior consultations with Afghan business leaders, focused on improving access to finance, enhancing regulatory frameworks, and promoting women-led enterprises. Discussions centered on job creation, skills development, and practical solutions to strengthen Afghanistan’s economic resilience.

These technical working groups are part of the broader Doha Process, a multilateral initiative launched following the third Meeting of Special Envoys for Afghanistan in July 2023. The process stems from the Independent Assessment on Afghanistan presented to the UN Security Council and aims to structure international engagement with the IEA for the benefit of the Afghan people.