THE SITUATION IN AFGHANISTAN
Statement by H.E Ms Briony Daley Whitworth, Acting Deputy Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations
7 July 2025
Thank you, President, for convening this meeting on the situation in Afghanistan.
Australia would like to thank Germany for its efforts in coordinating this resolution and wider work to support Afghanistan.
The situation in Afghanistan continues to worsen.
Afghanistan continues to move away from – not towards – fulfilling its international obligations and meeting the humanitarian and basic needs of its population, over half of which require assistance.
At the same time the Taliban seeks to exercise illegitimate authority.
We are alarmed that the human rights situation continues to deteriorate. Australia has consistently highlighted and condemned the egregious treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan.
We continue to raise our deep concerns with this situation, including at the Human Rights Council and here in the General Assembly.
Together with Canada, Germany and the Netherlands, we have commenced legal action to hold Afghanistan to account for violations of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women - CEDAW.
Since 2021, we have allocated over $260 million in humanitarian and basic needs assistance, with a strong focus on women and girls.
We are also concerned that terrorist groups operating in Afghanistan threaten security and stability in the immediate region and potentially beyond.
We have a responsibility as an international community to continue to engage on the challenges confronting the Afghan people, and the related impact on the region and globally.
A coordinated international response is imperative and a political process vital. A successful political process must deliver tangible, durable progress on human rights and inclusive governance along with concrete steps to sustainably provide for the Afghan population.
It is for these reasons that Australia supports this resolution.
Thank you.