Ban urges commitment to ‘enduring’ support for Afghanistan at NATO summit

May 22, 2012: While re-affirming the continued engagement of the United Nations in Afghanistan, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday urged the country’s international partners to remain committed to supporting the Central Asian nation even as they pull out their troops.

“Afghanistan faces clear and difficult security and development challenges – yet our resources are limited, the UN cannot fill all the gaps,” Mr. Ban said in his address to the NATO Summit in the United States city of Chicago. “The enduring commitment of every leader here today will be critical.”

“Let us send an unmistakable signal: Afghanistan’s international partners will not withdraw their support as they draw down their military presence,” he added. “The commitment of neighbours and other countries in the region will be crucial.”

World leaders are attending the Summit to discuss how to complete the NATO-led International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan by the end of 2014, and how to show their continued commitment to the Afghan people beyond that date.

In his remarks, Mr. Ban said the Summit must reaffirm the timeline for an international troop withdrawal in tandem with the pace at which the Afghan National Security Forces assume responsibilities. It should also provide concrete decisions on funding following that withdrawal.

The UN chief noted that Afghanistan’s security forces must prioritize the protection of civilians, including special measures to protect the human rights of all citizens, particularly women and girls affected by conflict.

“We must focus our efforts more broadly than a technical restructuring of security institutions,” Mr. Ban said.