U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres is calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Afghanistan to boost U.S. mediated Afghan-Taliban peace negotiations going on in Doha, Qatar. The UN Chief made his appeal at a ministerial pledging conference for Afghanistan. More than 40 years of war in Afghanistan have devastated countless lives and displaced millions of people both within their country and as refugees in foreign lands. Delegates attending the conference agree this untenable situation must end.  They say violence will not stop and Afghanistan will not be able to realize its development potential unless peace prevails.  U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres shares these concerns.  He is urging a redoubling of efforts toward a ceasefire to save lives and prevent the further spread of COVID-19, which is devastating communities.   This will create a conducive environment for the Afghanistan Peace Negotiations in Doha—a major opportunity to realize long-held aspirations of the Afghan people,” said Guterres.  “An inclusive process, in which women, young people and victims of conflict are meaningfully represented, offers the best hope of sustainable peace. Guterres says Afghan women have paid a high price in the conflict.  He says they must play a meaningful and equal role in the peace talks and in determining their outcome.  He says progress toward peace will contribute to the development of the entire region and persuade millions of displaced Afghans to return home in safety and dignity.Afghan President Ashraf Ghani joins his voice with that of the U.N. Secretary General in calling for an immediate ceasefire.  In a lengthy keynote address to the conference, he affirmed his government’s commitment to the peace negotiations with the Taliban.He says the violence that is haunting the lives of Afghan people and robbing the children of their childhood must be brought to an end.”The peacemaking process will, Inshallah, God willing, result in an agreement on paper,” said Ghani.  “But peacebuilding is a multi-faceted dimensional, cross-sectoral, long-term process that would allow us to actually implement the components of any peace agreement on paper.  That is our work.” For this to work, he says conditions of well-being must be created.   Ghani says poverty reduction, development of livelihoods, jobs and prosperity are critical and must be delivered for the peace agreement to be sustainable.  The Afghan president appeals to the international community for its support in achieving these goals.
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