KABUL - Speakers from 30 countries and organizations stressed the need for an increased regional and international cooperation for peaceful solution of the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan. Otherwise, they warned at an international peace conference organized in Kabul yesterday, insecurity and terrorism may engulf the entire region.

Sallahuddin Rabbani, the Chairman of the High Peace Council (HPC), said his father and former head of the Council Professor Burhanuddin Rabbani, who was assassinated in a suicide attack last year, believed strongly in regional cooperation for peace in Afghanistan.

“We also believe on regional cooperation for peace. In other case, the whole human society will suffer,” said Mr. Rabbani, while paying tribute to his father “for his sacrifices” on the path of peace.

He called upon the Ulemas (religious scholars) to stand up against the phenomenon of extremism in Islamic societies and play their part to pass on the message of peace and unity.

The High Peace Council organized the event in connection with the “Peace and National Unity Week” and to commemorate the first anniversary of the martyrdom of Professor Burhanuddin Rabbani.

Delegates from 30 countries attended the International Peace Conference to share their experiences of peace in their respective regions and to express their support to the Afghan peace process.

In his address, Marshal Qasim Fahim, the first Vice President of Afghanistan, said that the Afghan Government was making all out efforts to bring peace in the country. “However, peace should not be compromised with the achievements of last 10 years and the wishes of people of Afghanistan.”

“The Taliban should accept the Afghan Constitution and live alongside the people of Afghanistan, otherwise peace won’t happen,” said Mr. Fahim, adding that the Government should also be ready to defend its people against those who don’t accept peace.

He argued that peace and security of the region and wider world were linked to peace and security in Afghanistan. “Therefore the international community and regional countries should extend their full support to Afghanistan in its peace efforts.”

In his speech, UNAMA’s Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG), Nicholas Haysom said the conference provided opportunity to both Afghans and international community to reaffirm “our conviction that peace is possible and peace is necessary” for prosperous Afghanistan.

“The ordinary citizens of Afghanistan, perhaps more than any other people deserve peace, deserve a respite from decades of continuous conflict,” said Mr. Haysom.

He said that all Afghans must recognize their shared destiny and by accommodating the aspirations of all, build a just peace that benefits the whole society.

“There is, I believe, a growing recognition amongst some in the armed opposition groups that the cycle of conflict must be broken if Afghanistan is to avoid an extended civil war; that inter Afghan accommodation is necessary – power must be fairly shared and extended, that the world has changed and that Afghanistan has changed,” said Mr. Haysom.

Assuring of the wider international community support to the Afghans in facing the challenges of peace process, Mr. Haysom said it was necessary to recognize that any peace must be between Afghans and any peace process must be first and foremost Afghan-led and Afghan-owned.

He called upon the regional actors, particularly the immediate neighbours to take all necessary steps to support peace in Afghanistan including its economic and social recovery.

“I can assure that the United Nations will continue to directly and specifically support Afghan-led and owned peace processes. Our support to the Istanbul Regional process will deepen,” said Mr. Haysom.

He said United Nations has been present in Afghanistan from before the beginning of the conflict and will be here long after the international forces have gone.

The former United Nations special envoy for Afghanistan, Kai Eide also chaired a session on the international best practices for peace, where two peace experts from Ireland along with Afghan intellectuals analyzed the technical aspects of Afghan peace process and shared the experiences from Ireland.