NEW YORK - The Secretary-General met with H.E. Mr. Abdullah Abdullah, Chief Executive of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

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.