Meanwhile, the trade route through Iran is now “increasingly uncertain due to the ongoing conflict” and adding further pressures as the border with Pakistan closes, he said in his report to the 15-member Council.
In this context, Ms. Gagnon stressed that the country’s distancing from the international community prevents it from addressing issues such as economic self-sufficiency, security cooperation, counter-terrorism commitments, human rights concerns and the current humanitarian crisis.
“If these issues are not addressed, Afghanistan could once again become an engine of regional and global instability in the form of emigration, terrorism, narcotics and more.”
Border clashes with Pakistan
The unresolved issue between Afghanistan and Pakistan has led to active conflict on the border between the two countries, which has included airstrikes on Afghan cities.
Warning of the “human and economic costs of punishment,” he called for an immediate cessation of hostilities to ensure the free flow of humanitarian assistance, adding that “he De facto authorities also have a long way to go to convince the world that they are serious about fulfilling their counterterrorism commitments.“
Deepening humanitarian crisis
Afghanistan has absorbed five and a half million Afghans returning from neighboring countries since September 2023, with dwindling international assistance and no obvious social collapse.
“The humanitarian crisis is compounded by significant funding cuts, growing needs, including due to the large-scale return of refugees, and policies by de facto authorities that prioritize ideological rigidity over the well-being of the Afghan people,” he said.
Meanwhile, years of economic deterioration and recurring climate crises have left families less able to cope and are leading to new secondary migrations and displacements, challenges that are further exacerbated by current restrictions on women and girls.
In fact, the absence of women in the workforce has had “the effect of depleting the country’s important human capital in the medium and long term,” Ms. Gagnon said.
Aid deficit
In 2026, humanitarian partners plan to reach 17.5 million Afghans through $1.71 billion humanitarian appeal. This puts Afghanistan second globally in terms of people reached and sixth globally in total funding needs, but this appeal is currently only 10 per cent funded.
The ability of the United Nations to assist and reach Afghan women is hampered by a six-month ban on female UN national staff.
“We again urge the de facto authorities to lift these restrictions and allow female United Nations national staff to return to their offices.” Ms. Gagnon stressed.
However, the international community has shared concerns about decisions by de facto authorities that undermine their stated efforts to achieve economic self-sufficiency.
Council members raise serious concerns
Many Council members expressed concern about the situation of women in Afghanistan and their rights, as well as humanitarian assistance in the face of the reality on the ground.
The “intransigence” of the Taliban, who came to power in 2021, in ignoring the needs of the Afghan people means that the international community “must carefully evaluate the usefulness of international assistance and engagement in Afghanistan,” said in his national capacity the ambassador of the United States, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the Council during March.
Afghanistan’s ambassador, who does not represent the de facto authorities, told the Security Council that “after five years, the status quo in Afghanistan is neither acceptable nor sustainable.”
“This reality will not bring peace, stability or prosperity,” he said.
Aid “must never be politicized”
The Iranian ambassador said that “Humanitarian assistance must never be politicized.”
He urged donors to provide greater predictable and flexible funding for sustained, life-saving humanitarian operations.
Concluding her remarks, Ms. Gagnon reminded the Council of her commitment to an Afghanistan “at peace with itself and its neighbors, reintegrated into the international system and fulfilling its international obligations for the benefit of the Afghan people”.
Watch the full meeting on UN Web TV here: