KABUL: Taliban authorities have confirmed their participation in the upcoming third round of United Nations-hosted talks on Afghanistan, set to take place in the Qatari capital, Doha, a government spokesman said on Sunday, after snubbing an invitation to the previous round, AFP reported.
This decision marks a significant shift after the Taliban snubbed an invitation to the previous round of talks earlier this year.
“A delegation of the Islamic Emirate will participate in the coming Doha conference. They will represent Afghanistan there and express Afghanistan’s position,” Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP on Sunday.
The talks are scheduled for June 30 and July 1. Mujahid stated that a delegation, whose members have yet to be announced, will attend because the agenda appears “beneficial to Afghanistan.” The focus will be on critical issues such as aid for Afghanistan and creating opportunities for investors, which Mujahid emphasized as important.
The Taliban’s participation in these talks had been uncertain. They were not included in the first round and subsequently refused an invitation to the second round in February. Civil society groups, including women’s organizations, were invited to the February talks, but the Taliban government declined to participate unless they could be the sole representatives of Afghanistan. Additionally, the Taliban had requested a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Following the February talks, Guterres issued a statement indicating that the conditions set by the Taliban for participation were “not acceptable.” Despite this, delegates expressed hope that Taliban officials would attend future meetings.
Diplomatic sources revealed that the agenda for the upcoming talks would include finance and economic issues, as well as counter narcotics efforts. There are also plans to consult with civil society groups before and after the third round of talks.
Several civil society organizations have urged the UN to prioritize women’s rights issues at the meeting. The Taliban government, since its return to power in 2021, has imposed a strict interpretation of law, which the UN has described as “gender apartheid.” Women in Afghanistan have faced severe restrictions under Taliban rule, including bans on education and employment in many sectors.
