BALKH - The United Nations envoy to Afghanistan today inaugurated the premises of the world body’s office in Mazar-e-Sharif, the regional capital of the country’s north, highlighting how its presence there was a reflection of long-term commitment.

“I take this as a symbol and signal of our long-term commitment, to our cooperation, with the people of the province for many years to come,” the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan (UNAMA), Ján Kubiš, told an inauguration ceremony, with an audience made up of representatives from local government bodies - including the Provincial Governor, Atta Mohammad Noor – ulema (‘religious scholars’), civil society, UN agencies and the international community.

“For many years, you can count on our partnership, our cooperation,” the UN envoy added.

With a population of about 400,000, Mazar-e-Sharif is the capital of Balkh province in northern Afghanistan. It is widely considered to be one of the most economically developed in the northern region, with strong agricultural and industrial potential.

UNAMA’s office in the city has been operational since September 2012. The UN Mission moved there in the wake of a deadly mob attack on its old office compound, which resulted in the death of seven UN employees in April 2011. It currently has 85 national and international staff working in areas such as political affairs, human rights and civil affairs.

“We will also try to be of assistance for the broader international community, notably development partners of Afghanistan – you are aware that we try to provide a facilitating role for the members of the international community, the donors, to work together for the benefit of the people of Afghanistan and the province, and I would like to confirm that our intention is to increase our work in this direction,” Mr. Kubiš said.

“Equally we would like to support all the political processes that should bring more stability, peace, development and justice," he continued.

While in Mazar-e-Sharif, Mr. Kubiš also met separately with Governor Noor.

In his comments to the ceremony and in a later press encounter, Governor Noor appealed for the international community’s support and "close observation" of the political process leading up to next year’s Presidential and Provincial Council elections, slated for 5 April.

“I believe that a free, fair and transparent election would be possible with the international community’s support; otherwise it can lead to very bad consequences,” he said. “We hope that, one day, Afghanistan will not only stand on its feet and stop being a burden on others’ shoulders, but will also stand by the UN and international community as a partner to offer help to other nations.”

Afghanistan is passing through a critical moment of its history. Next year's Presidential election marks the transfer of power from one elected government to another for the first time in its history. The following year, Afghanistan will hold elections for its National Assembly.

UNAMA is mandated to provide support, as requested, to Afghan authorities in organizing these elections.
 

The political transition coincides with an ongoing security transition. The Afghan National Security Forces have assumed security responsibilities, for the first time since 2001, from their international allies who are ending their combat mission in Afghanistan next year.

Referring to recent meetings he held in Vienna, Mr. Kubiš mentioned in the press encounter that he discussed the issue of election observation with a delegation representing the European Parliament and "part of the discussion was not ‘if’, but ‘how’ to deliver international observation."

"It is very encouraging to see that the people of Afghanistan are showing a great interest in the election through the political process and supporting different candidates and different political parties and, indeed, they expect this election to be better than the previous election," he said.

"We will continue to provide support to make it better, including through supporting the respective independent institutions, the Independent Electoral Commission, the [Independent] Electoral Complaints Commission to develop and then implement fraud prevention and fraud mitigation plans and a series of activities," he continued.