Kezo Oshima, Japan’s Ambassador to the UN and Head of the delegation, stated the purpose of their visit, saying, “Our visit aims to observe the situation from a closer range and to see the progress made over the last five years, as well as the challenges Afghanistan continues to face.”

The delegation assured President Karzai that the UN will continue supporting Afghanistan until the country can stand on its own feet.

The President welcomed the UN delegation to Afghanistan and thanked the international community for its continuing assistance to the people and Government of Afghanistan.

He briefed the delegation on Afghanistan’s achievements and challenges in the areas of cross-border coordination through tribal Jirgas, fight against drugs, Disbandment of Illegal Armed Groups (DIAG), human rights, women’s rights, and education. 

“All that we have achieved so far is the result of the determined efforts of the Afghan people and support of the international community, but for the challenges we continue to face, we need more international support,” the President stated.

On the topic of security, President Karzai said, “To overcome the fight against terrorism, we need to focus on a number of areas.  As military efforts continue, we must also hasten the progress of reconstruction, generate economic growth, improve people’s lives and seriously fight drugs so that we can achieve our goal for a developed and prosperous Afghanistan.”

The President urged that overcoming terrorism and drugs requires serious international and regional cooperation to identify the external elements fueling the menace.  He added that violence and insecurity in Afghanistan will not end unless the financial sources and training facilities of terrorists outside Afghanistan are closed.

He also spoke about the Government’s resolve to implement administrative reforms and root out corruption from judicial and other civil service departments, as well as to strengthen, equip, and increase the number of Afghan National Police.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hedayat Amin Arsala, Senior Minister, and Dr. Zalmai Rasool, National Security Advisor.