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– Several generations of Afghans have lost their lives due to the war. This must come to an end, says Mona Juul, Norway’s ambassador to the UN at NRK.
It is only a week and a half until Norway takes a seat on the UN Security Council.
Only now is it clear that Norway will be responsible for all the Afghan problems that end up in the top UN body for the next two years. The leadership role is taken together with Estonia and is called a “pencil guide” in diplomatic parlance.
In practice, this means that Norway will lead the negotiations on the UN political mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). Norway will also control the language that the Security Council will use on incidents in the country.
Violence and terrorist attacks have escalated in Afghanistan as the Afghan government negotiates with the Islamic Taliban movement.
The international community has repeatedly condemned all terrorist attacks and has said that it is the responsibility of the parties to agree on the way forward.
Norway’s ambassador to the UN headquarters, Mona Juul, confirms that Norway will play a leading role in the Security Council’s handling of the situation in Afghanistan.
Photo: Anders Tvegård / NRK
– Our task will be to create the widest possible agreement among the 15 members on how the UN can support the political process for which the Afghan parties are responsible, Juul writes to NRK.
She describes the conflict as “complex” and believes that the country is facing an “unpredictable year”.
The article continues below the video. See here how Norway is preparing for the UN Security Council:
The Norwegian UN delegation in New York is preparing to become a full member of the most important body of the UN: the Security Council.
The United States has announced that its military presence in Afghanistan will be reduced and now the discussion has ended in NATO. The fear is that the war-weary country will once again become a free port for international terror.
Norway has troops in Afghanistan, has hosted reconciliation meetings with the Taliban and is known for a wide network.
– We are realistic in terms of what can be achieved, but from Norway’s seat on the Security Council, we will at least do our part to contribute in a positive direction, says Juul.
The UN Security Council is not stronger than the member states themselves want. There is often a discussion at headquarters in New York about what the Security Council should think or do in various conflicts. The veto powers have the last word.
A balloon vendor searches for customers in Kabul traffic. Not far from this area, a bomb exploded over the weekend.
Photo: Rahmat Gul / AP
When asked if Norwegian interests and peace initiatives may conflict with the new role in the Security Council, the UN ambassador responds that Norway will use its voice to support the ongoing peace process.
– From the Norwegian side, we will be especially concerned to address the need for protection of civilians and especially the situation of children and young people who suffer from terror and violence. We want to advocate that Afghan women can actively participate in political processes, including the ongoing peace process, says UN Ambassador Mona Juul.
Norway is also expected to lead one of the UN’s criminal committees. It is not yet clear which one.
– When Norway now joins the Security Council, I am pleased that we are taking on the important task of leading the work of Afghanistan, says Juul.
Negotiations are still ongoing about what the new non-permanent members of the UN Security Council will be responsible for. A clarification was expected by the first of October.
Norway is also expected to play a leading role in working with humanitarian aid to Syria.
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