Fourth Counter-Narcotics Working Group Meeting under Doha Process Held in Kabul

The fourth meeting of the Counter-Narcotics Working Group under the Doha Process was held in Kabul, hosted by UNAMA. Representatives from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the United Nations, international organizations, the European Union, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and diplomats from other countries attended in person and online.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, participants highlighted that poppy cultivation has been reduced to near zero following a decree by the leader of the Islamic Emirate. Officials emphasized that the fight against narcotics benefits not only Afghanistan but also the region and the world, and that sustaining these achievements requires joint cooperation and investment.

Islamic Emirate officials expressed concern about synthetic drugs, stating that sources of raw materials for these substances are located outside Afghanistan's borders. They warned that failure to prevent this would affect Afghanistan, the region, and the world. Concerns were also raised about the spread of industrial drugs believed to originate outside the country.

UNAMA and international organizations stressed the need for support for farmers, provision of alternative livelihoods, expansion of treatment programs, and reintegration of drug addicts into society.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement noted that many countries and organizations pledged cooperation and assistance, proposing greater coordination within the Doha Process framework and on a bilateral basis.

University lecturer Naqibullah Noori said: "Instead of criticism and alarming reports about drug trafficking from Afghanistan, the United Nations and countries around the world should turn toward supporting farmers, the private sector, and cooperating with the current government. In this way, both the people of Afghanistan and the world can effectively combat this phenomenon (drugs)."

This follows a United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime assessment two days earlier stating that patterns of drug use are changing and consumption of synthetic drugs is rising.