NEWYORK - Afghan journalists visited the United Nations Headquarters last week as part of the International Visitor Leadership Programme, a cultural exchange. A visit timed with the historic vote on Palestine and just days after UN General Assembly adopted an annual resolution affirming support for Afghanistan.

The six journalists include senior journalists from national and local media, government offices, and education in Kabul, Balkh, Kunduz and Nangarhar provinces.

“Anyone who comes to New York needs to come to the UN Headquarters. You have a special feeling because it is not only one country, it is the world represented,” said Naqid Arwen, Director of the Afghanistan National Radio and Television.

The Afghan group mingled with hundreds of other media gathered to record the historic vote to upgrade the Palestine Authority to non-voting observer state status.

At the Security Council stakeout, the group paused along other journalists to listen to Ambassador Bashar Jaafari, Permanent Ambassador of Syria to the United Nations, answer questions about a briefing he had given on the situation in that country.

The group had peeked earlier into the Security Council Chamber, temporarily relocated during the renovation of the Secretariat building due for completion early next year.

“Afghanistan will once again one day be president of the Security Council,” said Enayatullah, Spokesman and Press Office Head of the provincial Governor’s Office in Kunduz. The 15-member body rotates its presidency monthly according to the alphabetical order of its member states.

Most recently, an Afghan has sat at the Security Council table. Before Ambassador Susan Rice became the Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations, the post was held by Kabul-born Zalmay Khalilzad.

From the Security Council, the group visited the General Assembly Hall. On Tuesday, 27 November, the 193-member countries there had adopted by consensus an annual resolution on “The Situation in Afghanistan.” It reaffirmed the body’s commitment to Afghanistan’s peace, stability, and prosperity and welcoming the phased security transition that has been mapped out between Afghanistan and the international community.

The United Nations has been involved in Afghanistan since it joined the Organization in 1946 as one of its first member states.

“This is a great hub for countries. How can it be that so many nations here can raise voices but no one can figure out a way to end violence,” asked Mobina Khairandish, Director at Radio Rabea-e-Balkhi.

The day of the visit, the General Assembly Hall was being prepared for a vote on whether or not to upgrade Palestinian Authority’s to non-member observer state status.

The Afghan journalists and their interpreters, Mohammad Aziz and Noorulbasar Durrani, posed in front of the gold emblem of the UN and took photos at the podium where Mahmoud Abbas would hours later receive a standing ovation.

“It’s a great opportunity to be here for a very important vote,” said Ahmad Zia Abdul Zai, Spokesman and Media Officer at the Nangarhar provincial Governor House.

“The United Nations has played a vital role in the transition and with the humanitarian assistance of Afghanistan. It is an honour for me to be here,” he added.

Before heading to the noon briefing by the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General, the group stopped by Studio H for a tour of UNTV’s control booth and set. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had just finished taping a series of announcements and the group reviewed the scripts, taking turns at the teleprompter.

“The messaging coming from the UN is very important. It is an important aspect of unity between the 193 countries,” said Said Intizar Khadim, Senior Civil Society and Strategic Communications Advisor to the Leadership at the High Peace Council Secretariat.

Khadim added that he admired the coordination between the entities at the UN and its openness to the media.

“This is a wonderful day. I will have long-lasting memories of it,” summed up Laila, a lecturer of journalism at Balkh University.