NewYork (VNA) – Vietnam affirmed its support for a comprehensivepeace process led by Afghans during the UN Security Council (UNSC)’s virtualmeeting on September 3 on the situation in Afghanistan and the operation of theUN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

AmbassadorPham Hai Anh, deputy head of the Vietnamese mission to the UN, stressed thesignificance of the implementation of the UNSC’s Resolution No. 2513 on Afghanpeace process, especially the early start of peace talks.

Theambassador expressed his concern over attacks by the Taliban and otherterrorist organisations, particularly the attacks on women, children and thoseinvolved in the peace process.

Hecalled for efforts to improve security, promote reconstruction, eliminatepoverty, handle food insecurity, and cope with the COVID-19 pandemic andclimate change.

Anhalso lauded the Afghan government’s efforts in promoting gender equality atall-level authorities, and expressed his hope that women will play a moreactive role in the peace process.

Regionalcountries and organisations have significantly contributed to peace anddevelopment in Afghanistan, he said, reiterating Vietnam’s support for theUNAMA and the need for the UNSC to extend the mission of the UNAMA at thistime.

Thesituation in Afghanistan has continued to develop complicatedly over the pasttime despite the peace agreement reached by the US and the Taliban on February29.

Accordingto the UNAMA, the conflict in Afghanistan is among the bloodiest in the worldat present, with more than 10,000 civilians killed or injured in 2019. Thenumber reached 3,500 in the first six months of this year.

Asof September 2, Afghanistan had recorded more than 38,000 COVID-19 cases,including more than 1,400 deaths.

DeborahLyons, the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan andhead of the UNAMA, briefed the meeting on the progress in preparations for thepeace talks between the Afghanistan government and the Taliban.

She,however, warned of challenges during the negotiations, expressing her hope thatan agreement on humanitarian ceasefire will top the agenda of the talks, set totake place in Doha, Qatar in the coming days.

Lyonsalso called on the Taliban to ensure women’s engagement during thenegotiations./.