Mr. President,

I thank SRSG Deborah Lyons for her comprehensive briefing. I also thank Ms. Wazhma Frogh and Ms. Malala Yousafzai for their insightful statements.

Over the years under this roof, we have emphasized time and again the importance of supporting Afghanistan in its journey of political, security and economic transformation.

We have highlighted our collective achievements and responsibilities to reach lasting peace.

Despite all obstacles, with the help of the international community, Afghan people made major gains at important costs over the last two decades in the field of fundamental rights and freedoms, in particular rights of women and girls.

We believe that protection of those achievements will be first and foremost in the interest of the Afghan nation.

The interim government of Afghanistan is well aware that they will be held accountable if they violate human rights, especially rights of women and girls. We should be watching the developments in this context very closely.

Mr. President,

Afghanistan stands at an important crossroads today.

We note the announcement by the Taliban this week about the formation of the interim cabinet. We hope that these efforts will ultimately result in the creation of an inclusive and representative government. This is essential for long term stability.

To this end, we believe gradual engagement is the right approach. We need to engage with them in order to see whether their promises will be put into action or not. They have to earn our trust by translating their words into deeds. They will of course be judged by what they will do, not by what they are saying.

Now more than ever, Afghan people and especially vulnerable groups need our support and solidarity.

One of our urgent tasks should be to ensure continued functioning of Kabul International Airport. The Secretary-General in its latest report underlines the preservation of the infrastructure and reopening of the airports as vital for the continuation of basic services.

In recent weeks, we did our best to support our Allies and partners in their evacuation efforts. Together with Qatar, we also made efforts to ensure the safe and secure operation of the Kabul airport. It is critical to keep the airport operational for connecting Afghan people with the world. This is also the most rapid and safest route to ensure the transfer of humanitarian assistance to the people in need.

In this regard, we welcome the adoption of Resolution 2593 and call for its swift implementation.

Mr. President,

Let me also touch briefly upon the humanitarian situation, which requires our immediate attention.

We witness the worsening of living conditions throughout Afghanistan, with half of the population in need of urgent assistance and one third facing hunger.

We already stepped up our aid efforts through the Turkish Red Crescent. However, global efforts are urgently needed in order to respond to the deteriorating situation. The High-Level Ministerial Meeting to be hosted by the Secretary-General next week will definitely provide an important opportunity to mobilize the international community in that direction.

Our endeavors should also include neighboring countries that are already hosting a large number of Afghan refugees and struggling with its socio-economic impact.

Unless we take immediate action now, we will face greater humanitarian consequences and security repercussions in the region and beyond.





Mr. President,

Türkiye and Afghanistan have deep-rooted historical and cultural ties. For many years, my country has assumed a significant role to support Afghanistan in every front.

While we have actively contributed to its security, we have also carried out the most comprehensive development programme of our history through countless projects, including many on the empowerment of women and girls.

Through regional initiatives and platforms such as Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process or trilateral cooperation mechanisms, we have strived to find comprehensive and pragmatic solutions to regional issues.

Our commitment to Afghanistan and Afghan people is open-ended. We will never abandon them. We will not let them down. Altogether, we should strengthen the hopes of the Afghan people for the future.

Lasting peace and stability require political reconciliation. Afghanistan can overcome the current challenges only through enhanced unity and solidarity. We should help them to achieve that.

While concluding, let me remind you that an immediate request by the Afghan people from this Council is the continued presence of the UN in Afghanistan in all fields.

The Council should uphold its responsibilities and enable UNAMA conduct its activities without any hindrance. For our part, we are ready to assist in any way we can to facilitate the central role of the UN at this critical time.

Thank you.