KABUL - As Muslims around the world prepare to mark the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha, I wish all Afghans a peaceful and joyous celebration.

Eid-ul-Adha is a time of peace, which all Afghans long for. I hope that families around Afghanistan will be able to come together and celebrate Eid in an environment free of fear and violence.

To allow all Afghans to commemorate this auspicious celebration, I strongly urge the parties to the conflict to demonstrate good will, to respect this time of joy and tolerance and to refrain from resorting to violence.

I sincerely hope the feeling of solidarity marked by this sacred occasion will continue well into the future, enabling constructive steps leading to a durable peace in Afghanistan.

The United Nations remains a committed partner and supporter of Afghans in their efforts to achieve stability, prosperity and a lasting peace.

Eid Mubarak.

Tadamichi Yamamoto is the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).​