Security Council Mission to Afghanistan (12 to 15 January 2018)

The Mission to Kabul, led by Kazakhstan, took place between 12 and 15 January 2018. During the visit, the delegation met with various senior Afghan politicians, as well as women’s non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, and UNAMA and NATO’s Resolute Support Mission. The lightning visit was framed as an opportunity for Council members to gain a first-hand understanding of the country’s needs and priorities, and to show solidarity with the people and the Government of Afghanistan. Key challenges noted after the Mission included the high votality of the security situation, as well as the increasing presence and activity of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant-Khorasan Province (ISIL-KP) in the East and North of the country. To this are added challenges of the return of foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) from Syria and Iraq who are regrouping in Afghanistan.