NEWYORK - The United Nations General Assembly adopted a “consensus resolution” in New York yesterday reaffirming the continued long-term support of the international community for Afghanistan’s peace, reconciliation and development processes.

Summary of the General Assembly meeting on the situation in Afghanistan

The focus of the 22-page resolution introduced by Germany was on improving “the operational capabilities” of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), said Peter Wittig, the German ambassador to the UN. He added that an increased emphasis would be put on training, equipping and advising the Afghan forces throughout the country.

He also noted that the security transition, including the handover of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) duties to the Afghan security forces was progressing with the implementation of the first three tranches of security transition.

“The resolution sends, yet again, a positive signal of sustained support to Afghanistan, its Government and its people,” said Ambassador Wittig.

Noting renewed commitments made at several major international conferences, including a NATO summit in Chicago in May and another one in Tokyo in July this year, the resolution cited, in particular, renewed support for plans to complete the process of security transition by the end of 2014 and to launch a “transformation decade” (2015-2024) shortly thereafter.

The 193-member Assembly pledged to support the Government and people of Afghanistan as it sought to rebuild a stable, secure and economically self-sufficient State.

Afghanistan’s Ambassador to the UN, Dr. Zahir Tanin, said that a successful transition would allay concerns about the possible vacuum created by the end of the international military combat mission. He stressed the need of the long-term economic sustainability of the Afghan State.

Emphasizing that “Afghanistan’s future is about sustainability”, he said it was critical to consolidate successes. “We must not fall behind in our efforts, not even for a moment,” he stressed. The country would move from a primarily aid-based economy to a self-sustaining one, said Dr. Tanin, adding that the next two years would be vital for Afghanistan.

Thomas Mayr-Harting, the Head of the Delegation of the European Union, said only an inclusive progress would be successful in Afghanistan. “Progress will only be sustainable if the process is truly inclusive, engaging not only armed groups, but fully involving civil society, including a balanced regional and gender representation from all sections of Afghan society,” said Mr. Mayr-Harting. “The [European Union’s] commitment to Afghanistan is long-term.” He added that the EU was currently giving more than €1 billion in development assistance to Afghanistan every year.

Lamenting that there was no marked improvement in the country’s security situation, the representative of Kyrgyzstan, Talaibek Kydyrov, who spoke on the behalf of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, echoed the support expressed for the progress made in the Afghan economy and infrastructure development. He stressed, however, that “we must not overlook the difficulties and challenges that Afghanistan is still facing in the course of reconstruction”.

China’s Ambassador Wang Min said the Afghan peace process was at a “critical juncture” and hoped that UNAMA would continue to strengthen its cooperation and coordination with the Afghan Government. He emphasized that efforts to ensure peace and development must be fully owned by the Afghan people.

Rosemary Dicarlo of the United States said the assistance committed to Afghanistan in Chicago and Tokyo would help the country attract private-sector investment and help “usher in a transformation decade marked less by aid and more by trade”.

Other speakers including Iran’s Eshagh Al Habib said a strong commitment was needed from both Afghan and international partners to curb the menace of drug cultivation and trafficking, which bred extremism.