The UN covers the situation in Afghanistan in a quarterly report
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has published his latest quarterly report on Afghanistan, in which he highlights the economic, humanitarian and political situation in the country.
The report says that there is some progress regarding communications, trade and transit, including the signing of an air traffic control contract with a company from the UAE for several international airports.
The UN Secretary-General, citing evidence of economic progress in Afghanistan, lists the following facts:
"Announcement on September 10 of a quadrilateral agreement on the experimental construction of a railway and automobile trade corridor connecting Afghanistan with China via Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan";
"Announcement on September 27 on the import of gasoline, diesel fuel, liquefied petroleum gas and wheat from the Russian Federation at preferential prices";
"The de facto authorities regularly interact with China on the inclusion of Afghanistan in the "One Belt, One Road" initiative and with Turkmenistan on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline";
"On October 10, the de facto authorities reported that agreements had been reached with Turkmenistan on a number of issues, including the schedule for land allotment and pipeline construction, gas supply to industrial parks and residents of Herat";
"On November 2, in a joint statement, China and Pakistan expressed consensus on the need to continue providing humanitarian and economic assistance to the Afghan people and expand development cooperation in Afghanistan, including by including it in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.";
"On October 25, the de facto authorities also opened Mazar-I-Sharif International Airport, reconstructed with financial and technical assistance from Uzbekistan";
"Exports to India and Pakistan are higher than in the previous year, while prices for basic goods have stabilized and, in some cases, decreased, possibly partly due to imports from the Russian Federation," the report says.
According to the report, the majority of Afghans still live in poverty, and they have little chance of a significant improvement in the situation, as it is estimated that more than 90% of the population is experiencing food shortages.
The report says that the UN handed over $1.63 billion in cash to Afghanistan between December 1, 2021 and November 2022.
"The funds were distributed directly between 19 different United Nations agencies, funds or programs, the World Bank and 30 internationals non—governmental organizations through the International Bank of Afghanistan," the statement said. "Cash disbursements continued to help stabilize the Afghan currency and serve as an economic incentive without the direct support of the de facto administration."
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