Foreign Minister Retno Attends A Meeting In Doha To Discuss The Development Of Afghanistan's Situation

Screenshot - Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (Menlu RI) Retno Marsudi spoke at a press conference in Doha, Qatar, on February 19, 2024. (ANTARA/Katriana)

JAKARTA - Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi attended a meeting in Doha initiated by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to discuss developments in the situation in Afghanistan.

"Currently I am in Doha attending the UN Secretary General's invitation to discuss developments in Afghanistan," Foreign Minister Retno said at a press conference in Doha on Monday (19/2), according to a statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, February 20.

Foreign Minister Retno said that on March 16, 2023, the UN Security Council (DK) had adopted Resolution 2679 of 2023 which asked the Secretary General of the United Nations to prepare an independent assessment of Afghanistan to be submitted to the UN DK no more than November 17, 2023.

The assessment was completed and submitted to the UN DK on November 9 last year.

According to Retno, the report or assessment outlines the current situation in Afghanistan, priorities of primary efforts that can be made, and recommendations, including ways to increase engagement, as well as ways to help the Afghan people.

The meeting in Doha involved countries that have been active on the Afghan issue, including Indonesia.

"From ASEAN, only Indonesia. From Asia, there are several other countries such as China, Japan, India, Pakistan and also countries bordering Afghanistan," said Foreign Minister Retno.

The meeting discussed the follow-up to the assessments that had been carried out by the United Nations, and Indonesia conveyed several things, including about Indonesia's good response to the UN Secretary General's report on the situation in Afghanistan.

Indonesia also recorded reports regarding the situation of women's rights in Afghanistan prepared by the UN agency for gender equality and women's empowerment -- UN Women, International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), said Foreign Minister Retno.

In addition, continued Retno, Indonesia also recorded responses given by the Taliban or the De Facto Authority (DFA) to the two reports.

During the meeting, the Indonesian Foreign Minister also emphasized the importance of the continuous involvement of all parties in Afghanistan even though it is not yet time to confess to the DFA.

"The last thing I say is about the importance of continuing to pay attention to helping the Afghan people," said Retno.