9 May 2009 - The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) continued its drive to expand its presence across Afghanistan with a new office opening today in the northern province of Sar-i-Pul.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan (SRSG), Kai Eide, said: “I consider this opening to be especially important, because it reflects one of our most important objectives: to draw more attention and resources to the poorest provinces. The poor and the stable provinces in the central and northern parts of the country have been neglected. This situation cannot continue.

“We must address poverty, which causes so much suffering. Sar-i-Pul is home to some of the most needy people in the country. They must know that they have our attention. Poor and stable provinces feel that they are punished for being stable. If we allow this feeling of unfairness to continue, then the result could be instability where there is today stability. I promise that I and the UN will be an advocate for a fair and wise distribution of assistance for the people of Sar-i-Pul and across Afghanistan.

“Sar-i-Pul is an agricultural economy and our aim must be to implement agricultural reform as vigorously as we can, so that we can avoid the constant humanitarian crises of the past and ensure that the fields are green not only due to rainfall, but due to a good agricultural policy.

“Our new office will also devote attention to human rights. I am particularly concerned about the rights of women. Afghanistan needs the resources and talents that its women can bring to the development of the country. It is a not just a question of human rights of individuals, but also the future of the entire country.

“We are also approaching elections. These elections will be a milestone in the development of Afghanistan. We must all ensure that these elections are transparent and credible. And I urge you all to use your influence to prevent the use of positions of power to influence candidates and voters in violation of the Afghan Constitution and Afghan laws. The UN will follow these elections closely and monitor the campaign to help ensure that the fundamental political rights of the Afghan people are respected.”

Earlier this week UNAMA also opened an office in the restive southern province of Uruzgan. UNAMA has now established a presence across two thirds of Afghanistan.

Notes to editors: 

UNAMA currently has 20 offices located in Balkh, Kunduz, Herat, Kandahar, Nangarhar, Bamyan, Kabul, Paktya, Ghor, Kunar, Khost, Nimroz, Badghis, Faryab, Uruzgan, Badakhshan, Daikundi and Zabul provinces; with a further two liaison offices in Tehran and Islamabad.