The situation in Afghanistan
A/RES/69/18
highlighted the role of the International Security Assistance Force and outlined the
role of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and contributing partners in
supporting lasting peace, security and stability in Afghanistan beyond 2014,
including through the short-term Resolute Support Mission to train, advise and
assist the Afghan National Security Forces, the medium-term contribution to the
financial sustainment of the Forces and the commitment to strengthening the longterm enduring partnership with Afghanistan, noting the signing of the security and
defence cooperation agreement between the United States of America and
Afghanistan (bilateral security agreement) and the signing of the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization-Afghanistan status-of-forces agreement, noting also that the
bilateral agreement between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and Afghanistan
and the invitation of the Government of Afghanistan to the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization to establish the Resolute Support Mission provide a sound legal basis
for the Mission, and acknowledging that the Mission should, ideally and in
consultation with the Government of Afghanistan, be supported by a Security
Council resolution,
Reiterating the urgent need to tackle the challenges in Afghanistan, in
particular the ongoing violent criminal and terrorist activities by the Taliban,
Al-Qaida and other violent and extremist groups and criminals, including those
involved in the narcotics trade, and the development of Government of Afghanistan
institutions, including at the subnational level, the strengthening of the rule of law
and democratic processes, the fight against corruption, the acceleration of justice
sector reform, the promotion of national reconciliation, without prejudice to the
fulfilment of the measures introduced by the Security Council in resolutions
1267 (1999) of 15 October 1999, 1988 (2011) and 1989 (2011) of 17 June 2011,
2082 (2012) and 2083 (2012) of 17 December 2012, and 2160 (2014) and
2161 (2014) of 17 June 2014 and other relevant resolutions, an Afghan-led
transitional justice process, the safe and voluntary return of Afghan refugees and
internally displaced persons in an orderly and dignified manner, the promotion and
protection of human rights and the advancement of economic and social
development,
Deeply concerned about the high level of violence in Afghanistan, especially
the number of civilian casualties, condemning in the strongest terms all violent
attacks, recalling that the Taliban, Al-Qaida and other violent and extremist groups
and illegal armed groups are responsible for the significant majority of the civilian
casualties in Afghanistan, expressing particular serious concern about increased
targeted killing of women and girls, and calling for compliance with international
humanitarian and human rights law and for all appropriate measures to be taken to
ensure the protection of civilians,
Noting the importance of the national Government being inclusive and
representative of the ethnic diversity of the country and ensuring also the full and
equal participation of women,
Recognizing that the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process of peace and
reconciliation, supported by the international community, is essential for achieving
long-term peace and stability in Afghanistan,
Emphasizing the central and impartial role of the United Nations in promoting
peace and stability in Afghanistan, expressing its appreciation and strong support for
all efforts of the Secretary-General and his Special Representative for Afghanistan
in this regard, expressing its appreciation also for the work of the United Nations
Assistance Mission in Afghanistan in accordance with Security Council resolution
3/21