Security Council Extends United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2818 (2026)

Security Council Extends United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2818 (2026)

The Security Council today decided to extend the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) until 17 June, as speakers urged the Taliban to reverse its policy banning Afghan women from UN buildings and underscored the Mission's critical role in supporting the Afghan people amid continuing humanitarian, security and human rights challenges.

Unanimously adopting resolution 2818 (2026) (to be issued as document S/RES/2818(2026)), the 15-member organ reiterated its full support to the work of UNAMA and requested that the Secretary-General appoint a new Special Representative of the Secretary-General to head the Mission.

Council members also welcomed UNAMA's ongoing efforts to implement its mandated tasks and priorities and stressed the need for its continued field presence.

They stressed the critical importance of a continued presence of UNAMA and other United Nations agencies, funds and programmes across Afghanistan. They also called on Afghan political actors and international stakeholders to coordinate with UNAMA in implementing its mandate and to ensure the safety, security and freedom of movement of United Nations and associated personnel throughout the country.

The Council also requested that the Secretary-General report to it every three months on the situation in Afghanistan and on the implementation of UNAMA's mandate, including at the subnational level.

Afghan Women, Girls Must Benefit from Development

Council members, including China, welcomed the extension of UNAMA's mandate. Beijing's representative stressed that Afghanistan faces multiple challenges and emphasized the role of the international community in helping Kabul achieve stability and development. The resolution, he said, reiterates serious concerns over Afghanistan's economic situation and development needs. The assets of the central bank must be used for the benefit of the Afghan people. Women must enjoy equal rights in all areas, including public life, and Afghan women and girls must benefit from Afghanistan's development.

The representative of the Russian Federation welcomed that the text reflects elements geared towards Afghanistan's economic development, "which should lay the foundation for the self-reliance of the Afghan State". On the resolution's call for the appointment of a new Head for UNAMA, she urged the Secretary-General to not only consult Council members, but also to account for the opinion of Afghanistan's authorities as the effective implementation of UNAMA's mandate will "hinge on their consent".

The representative of Greece, also echoing support for the swift appointment of a new UNAMA Head, welcomed the Mission's "invaluable contribution" to coordinating humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan; promoting human rights and the rule of law; and facilitating dialogue between the international community and the Taliban. She added that UNAMA's role is "particularly important given the violations of human rights in Afghanistan" - especially those of women.

The representative of the United States said that UNAMA plays an important role in addressing Afghanistan's widespread humanitarian crisis and in promoting peace through dialogue. Washington, D.C., looks forward to working with other Council members to ensure that the Mission continues to carry out activities that "directly contribute" to advancing peace and security in Afghanistan and support the Afghan people during this critical period.

Majority of Council Members Favoured Longer Renewal of UNAMA Mandate

The representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, speaking also on behalf of Liberia and Somalia, welcomed the three-month renewal of the Mission and said the group eagerly awaits UNAMA's full mandate renewal in June. Afghanistan faces many economic and humanitarian challenges and requires sustained support. Bahrain's delegate said she voted in favour of the mandate's renewal, adding that it is important to meet the basic needs of the Afghan people. Panama's speaker said that, while his delegation also voted in favour of UNAMA's renewal, it cautioned that the reduced mandate renewal from one year to three months could be wrongly interpreted. "The Mission plays a vital role in facilitating dialogue," he reminded.

Colombia's representative, similarly, expressed regret that UNAMA's mandate was not extended for 12 months, which was "the preference of the majority of Council members". She stressed that persistent gender-based violence fuels cycles of marginalization, limits women's full participation in social, economic and political life and impedes efforts to build lasting peace in Afghanistan. "Precisely for these reasons, it is vital that UNAMA continue to fully discharge its mandate," she said - including monitoring and promoting human rights and supporting efforts to ensure inclusive governance.

The representative of Pakistan said that the "foremost" challenge faced in Afghanistan is the deteriorating security situation and the "exponential rise" in terrorism emanating from the country. Elements within the Taliban regime are providing a permissive environment to several terrorist groups, who operate with impunity in Afghanistan and conduct cross-border attacks against civilians and law enforcement personnel in Pakistan. Noting that the text calls on the Taliban to take "active, immediate and demonstrable measures" to combat terrorism, he said that the Council has also outlined its expectations for strengthening the safe and secure management of weapons and ammunition to prevent their diversion to terrorist groups.

Speakers Stress UNAMA's Crucial Role Monitoring Human Rights in Afghanistan

"This Council cannot abandon the Afghan people," France's delegate said, expressing hope that the discussions to take place in the next three months lead to renewal of UNAMA for a longer duration. "We owe it to the Afghan people," he added. Latvia's representative noted that UNAMA's work in monitoring and reporting on human rights violations is crucial "at a time when women and girls have lost almost all of their basic rights and freedoms since the Taliban took control" in Afghanistan.

Echoing many other speakers, the United Kingdom's representative welcomed the call for reversal of the ongoing ban on Afghan women accessing UN premises, calling on the Taliban to heed these demands and promote the rights of all Afghans including women and girls. "We commend UNAMA's persistence in an increasingly complicated environment," he added. The representative of Denmark said that UNAMA remains "indispensable" given the profound human-rights crisis in Afghanistan. The message from the Council is clear, she stressed: "The Taliban must immediately reverse all policies that restrict women from exercising their fundamental rights."

Complete Live Blog coverage of today's meeting can be found here.