KABUL/QATAR (SW) – The third Doha conference on Afghanistan commenced on Sunday, with representatives from 20 countries and 5 international organizations hosted by the United Nations in Qatar.
Hamdullah Fetrat, deputy spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, stated that discussions at this conference focused on economic conditions, combating drug trafficking, and strengthening the private sector in Afghanistan.
“Representatives from the United Nations, Qatar, and the Islamic Emirate address economic conditions, private sector strengthening, and drug trafficking,” he added.
Political analysts noted that unlike previous sessions, the third Doha conference, its first day commenced on June 30, had a more limited agenda and participant composition.
Wais Naseri, a political analyst, argued, “The second conference had a better composition with countries’ representatives and the UN Secretary-General present, but the third conference has seen a secretive agreement leading to significantly reduced content and agenda.”
The analysts believe that due to the narrow agenda of the third Doha meeting and the lack of UN executive authority, it may not provide fundamental solutions to Afghanistan’s problems.
Najib Al-Rahman Shamal, another political analyst, said, “Internal and external protests, particularly from women, could challenge the outcomes of this conference. Moreover, the double standards of the international community, especially the UN, which has often championed human rights, have been forgotten. Therefore, Afghan people, especially women, may not trust UN decisions in such conferences.”
The exclusion of women’s rights issues, such as girls’ and women’s right to education and work, from the agenda of the third Doha conference, has been among the prominent criticisms leveled against it.
