Today this Council spoke with a unified voice on Afghanistan and clearly set out its minimum expectations of the Taliban. The legitimacy of the Taliban in the eyes of the international community will be dependent on their actions on the ground, not their words.
The immediate priority is ensuring all those who wish to leave Afghanistan can do so safely. We have today been clear that the Taliban must adhere to their own stated commitments to ensuring safe passage.
Second, Afghanistan can never again become a safe haven for terrorists. We will need a coordinated approach to countering the global extremist threat emanating from Afghanistan, and we call on the Taliban to honour their commitments in the Doha agreement.
Third, the humanitarian situation requires urgent attention. We are coordinating closely with partners to strengthen efforts to support humanitarian assistance and unimpeded access to all humanitarian workers and organisations must be ensured.
Finally, the gains of the last 20 years must be protected, and the human rights, including those of women, children and minorities safeguarded. This resolution lays down a marker that the eyes of the international community will be watching closely.
Today's resolution is an important articulation of the unified international response to the situation in Afghanistan that the UNSG has called for. We will continue to build on this and this Council will remain actively seized of the situation. The upcoming UNAMA discussion on the 10th September provides another opportunity to discuss the core issues addressed today.
