NADALI - Government officials, elders, activists and other community leaders in the southern province of Helmand gathered at a UN-backed symposium to discuss local peace efforts and to strategize on ways to build national and sustainable peace.

SHARANA - The active participation of young Afghans in peace-building is necessary for creating a more stable, inclusive and peaceful region, said participants at a UN-backed symposium in the south-eastern province of Paktika.

PUL-E-KHUMRI - Participants at a UN-backed event in the northeastern capital of Baghlan recommended that crimes of violence against women should go through the formal justice system, and not through other informal processes.

NEW YORK - The Secretary-General strongly condemns the series of bombings today in Nangarhar Province, targeting three schools and a group of demonstrators. He extends his condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a quick recovery to those injured.

KABUL - The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) condemns the series of bombings today in Nangarhar province which killed at least 21 civilians and injured more than 60 others, and voices its mounting concern at the pattern of attacks targeting civilians and schools.