Security Council: Quarterly debate on the situation in Afghanistan

Statement by Catherine Boucher, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations

New York, June 21 2017

Mr. President,

Thank you for this opportunity to address the Security Council. I would also like to thank Special Representative Yamamoto for his insightful briefing.  

I would like to start by offering my sincere condolences to the people and government of Afghanistan affected by ongoing terrorist attacks, including the bombing in Kabul on May 31. It is crucial for us to continue our efforts to counter terrorism and all forms of violent extremism. I would also like to congratulate the Afghan Government on convening the Kabul Process Conference on June 6, despite extremely challenging circumstances. Canada fully supports an Afghan-led, Afghan owned peace process. It is my hope that, the Kabul Process will bear fruit and that Afghanistan will soon be free of such violence.

Canada remains committed to support Afghanistan on its path towards development. In line with our recently announced Feminist International Assistance Policy, we will continue to focus on women’s and girls’ rights in all of our programming in Afghanistan. For example, we actively support women’s inclusion and empowerment in Afghanistan. We provide assistance to help implement the Law on the Elimination of Violence against Women and have programs that provide education, awareness-raising, and capacity-building on women’s rights and gender-based violence. Our partners also help women assume greater decision making roles in their households and communities, and to build their livelihood skills and capacities. For peace, security and development to take root and endure in Afghanistan, women must join men at the centre of decision-making at all levels in Afghan politics, society, and the economy. 

Canada commends the Afghan Government for pledging to increase the presence of women in government institutions to 30% by 2020. Canada also commends the Afghan government for launching its National Action Plan to Eliminate Early and Child Marriages.  On May 15, Canada joined women from across Afghanistan who gathered to discuss their experiences, vision and contributions to peace at the Fourth Kabul Symposium “Afghan Women; Messengers of Peace”. Women’s participation in the peace and reconciliation process is essential.  I hope that events such as this, along with efforts to alleviate gender-based violence and provide more education to girls and young women, will push Afghanistan closer to peace and stability.

Finally, I must express my country’s deep concern over the continuing deterioration of security in Afghanistan, especially the increased civilian and aid worker casualties reported so far in 2017. We are dismayed by the toll on civilians. Their displacement, increased vulnerability and losses are unacceptable. We are concerned about the impact of instability and insecurity on women and children. All parties to the conflict need to take urgent steps to halt the killing and maiming of civilians. We look to Afghanistan’s neighbours and partners to continue to work with the Government of Afghanistan to increase regional stability and decrease violence within the country.

Mr. President, Canada stands with the Afghan people as they strive for a more secure, prosperous and peaceful future. Thank you.