NEW YORK - United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced today the appointment of Ingrid Hayden of Australia as his Deputy Special Representative (Political) for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

KUNDUZ – A group of religious leaders in Kunduz province have reiterated their commitment to working for peace while calling on residents to get involved in local processes and dialogue on peace and security.

SUROBI - Members of the Elders’ Shura in the Surobi district of Kabul have reiterated their commitment to working for local peace and in support of economic development.

GARDEZ - The active participation of communities in the upcoming elections is crucial for building a more peaceful and stable country, said participants gathered at a UN-backed event in the south-eastern province of Paktya.

JALALABAD - Participants in a UN-backed television programme broadcast in the eastern province of Nangarhar singled out education as the key to women’s empowerment at all levels of Afghanistan’s political and social life.