Mr. President,
More than 19 years of warfare has not brought the Afghan conflict and the suffering of the Afghan people closer to an end. On the contrary. The continued and escalated fighting poses serious and growing threats to international peace and security and has caused extensive human suffering, large-scale material destruction, refugee flows and other forcible displacements of large numbers of people. The conflict also provides fertile ground for terrorism and illegal drug production and trafficking, with repercussions far outside Afghanistan's own borders.
The Afghan conflict has no military solution. Only a political settlement, accomodating the rights and interests of all Afghan ethnic, religious and political groups, can provide the basis for a durable solution to the conflict. This is also how the necessary conditions can be created for much needed reconstruction and development of Afghan society. The resolution before us demands that all Afghan factions stop fighting, resume negotiations without delay and preconditions, and cooperate with the aim of creating a broad-based and fully representative government, which would protect the rights of all Afghans and would observe the international obligations of Afghanistan. We fully support that demand.
The Afghan conflict continues to be fuelled by arms, ammunition and other military supplies from abroad, as well as by the apparent involvement of foreign military personnel. As the Secretary-General has stated, the key to ending the Afghan tragedy lies in whether or not the international community has the resolve to address its external aspects. Foreign interference has to end. The regional powers need to talk to each other and build mutual confidence. Only then can the tireless efforts of the Secretary-General, his Special Envoy and the United Nations Special Mission, to facilitate a peaceful solution, bear fruit. The resolution before us calls upon all States neighboring Afghanistan and other States with influence in the country to intensify their efforts under the auspices of the United Nations to bring the parties to a negotiated settlement. We firmly support that call.
My country remains greatly concerned at the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. All parties to the conflict must comply fully with their obligations under international humanitarian law. They must take full responsibility for the safety and security of all international and humanitarian personnel, and ensure safe and unhindered access. Impeding the delivery of humanitarian assistance and using this obstruction as a weapon against the civilian population is a violation of international law. Of equal concern to us are the continued violations of human rights, and especially the discrimination of Afghan girls and women.
For many years, Sweden has been one of the largest donors of humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people. We are ready to continue this assistance when conditions on the ground make that possible. The decision by the Taliban authorities to close the offices of international NGOs in Kabul, as well as other restrictions of access, has forced the suspension of assistance, with grave consequences both for the population of Kabul itself and beyond. Sweden fully supports further efforts by the Secretary-General and his representives to reach an agreement with the Taliban in order to make possible the continued delivery of necessary humanitarian aid.
Sweden will vote in favor of the resolution in front of us.
Thank you, Mr. President.