JALALABAD - UNAMA's new Deputy Special Representative of Secretary General (DSRSG) for Political Affairs, Mr. Nicholas Haysom, traveled to Jalalabad yesterday for his first travel outside Kabul since his arrival. He met with the Governor of Nangarhar, Mr. Gul Agha Shirzai, and senior provincial government officers to discuss the UN's role in Afghanistan in light of the recent renewal of the Mission's mandate. He also met with prominent religious figures and representatives of civil society with whom he discussed security, transition, combating corruption and the peace process.

“The new mandate from the Security Council quite clearly stresses that the role of UNAMA is to support the Afghan Government and people in the Afghan-led transition and peace processes,” said Mr. Haysom.

Mr. Haysom also said that UNAMA recognizes that Afghanistan faces challenges stemming from the gradual withdrawal of international forces over the next few years.

“The UN has been working in Afghanistan for a long time and will continue to do so beyond 2014. Stronger partnership is therefore essential with the Afghan Government and the Afghan people,” he said. Civil society representatives called on UNAMA to play a bigger role in ensuring transparent and fair elections, including supporting the forming of an effective and accountable Election Commission.

Mr. Haysom, a South African, assumed his new role on 27 March this year. Nangarhar is the first province he has visited since his arrival. He plans to travel throughout the country in the coming weeks.