INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The United Nations Security Council voted Thursday to extend its mission to Afghanistan for one more year.The United Nations Assistance
Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) will now continue until spring 2023 and will focus on providing humanitarian assistance, facilitating
dialogue within Afghanistan and between other countries, and promoting the rule of law.The UNAMA is also tasked with protecting human rights
and gender equality under the newly established Islamic Emirate (IE) government.Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis, who represented the United
States at the meeting, said the mandate showed the world&s &enduring commitment& to Afghanistan
The United States withdrew forces from the county last year, opening the way for the Taliban&s (IEA) swift takeover, the hill news
reported.Critically, this mandate ensures UNAMA can continue its vital work in support of women&s and girls& empowerment, their ability to
enjoy fully human rights and fundamental freedoms, and their full, equal, and meaningful participation in all levels and stages of
decisionmaking,& he said.In doing so, the Security Council has instructed UNAMA not just to advocate for Afghanistan&s women but to engage
with them as vital partners in its work.According to hill news the representative from Norway, which currently holds the Security Council
presidency, added that the mandate strengthens work around the promotion of women&s rights and their participation in public life, but added
she was regretful the council did not agree on climate change provisions.The United Kingdom&s representative warned that future U.N
decisions would depend on how the IEA governs the country amid ongoing concerns over reprisal killings and human rights abuses, adding that
the group (IEA) needs to &demonstrate that extremist groups are no longer able to flourish in the country.The members of the Security
Council voted 14-0 to extend UNAMA, with Russia abstaining, read the report.The Russian representative said it abstained because the Afghan
government failed to respond to requests for consent for the presence of the U.N
in the country.The representative warned the Security Council against turning UNAMA into &United Nations mission impossible& by creating
conflict with local authorities.The key is maintaining stability, from which everyone would win,& the representative from Russia said.The
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