Kazakhstan urges UN Security Council to keep engaging with Afghanistan

September 17, 2026 at 01:00 PM2 min

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Kazakhstan's UN envoy Kairat Umarov told the Security Council on September 17 that isolating Afghanistan is not a sustainable solution and called for continued pragmatic engagement with the de facto authorities. He said the goal is to help Afghanistan move from humanitarian dependence to economic self-sufficiency. Kazakhstan reported delivering about 319 tons of humanitarian aid, sending a medical mission, and supporting 400 Afghan farmers.

Key Facts

Kazakhstan's UN envoy Kairat Umarov told the Security Council on September 17 that isolating Afghanistan is not a sustainable solution.
Kazakhstan has delivered about 319 tons of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, sent a medical mission, and supported 400 Afghan farmers.
In June, a business forum with more than 50 Kazakh companies was held in Afghanistan and a second Kazakhstan Trade House was opened.
Kazakhstan called for Afghanistan to be included in regional trade and transport routes and confirmed the need to protect women's and girls' rights.
The UN Secretary-General's report mentioned the visit of a Kazakh delegation to Kabul, the opening of the Trade House, and a Central Asia–EU meeting on Afghanistan held in Almaty.

Security Council Session

The UN Security Council met on September 17 to discuss the situation in Afghanistan and the work of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). Participants discussed humanitarian problems, restrictions on the rights of women and girls, terrorist threats, and further engagement with Kabul. Kazakhstan's Permanent Representative Kairat Umarov said engagement does not mean recognition, but isolating Afghanistan is not a sustainable solution. He said the goal is to help the country move from humanitarian dependence to economic self-sufficiency.

Kazakhstan's Assistance

Kazakhstan has transferred about 319 tons of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, sent a medical mission, and supported 400 Afghan farmers. In June, a business forum with more than 50 Kazakh companies was held in Afghanistan and a second Kazakhstan Trade House was opened. Umarov proposed more actively including Afghanistan in regional trade and transport routes. Kazakhstan also confirmed the need to protect the rights of women and girls and to fight terrorism and drug trafficking.

UN Report and Context

The UN Secretary-General's report for the meeting mentioned the visit of a Kazakh delegation to Kabul, the opening of the Trade House, and a meeting of Central Asian and EU representatives on Afghanistan held in Almaty. Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi will lead Kazakhstan's delegation to the UN General Assembly high-level week in New York from September 22 to 28. The program includes his speech in the general debate, a meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and talks with foreign ministers of other countries.