Kabul: The Taliban government officially announced that it would be sending a delegation to the UN-hosted meeting in Qatar on June 30 and July 1. Taliban Chief Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, who will lead the delegation, told TOLOnews that the group believes their participation in the Qatar talks will benefit Afghanistan when it comes to humanitarian aid and investment.
The meeting is the third UN-sponsored gathering on the Afghan crisis in the Qatari capital of Doha. The Taliban were not invited to the first meeting, and according to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the Taliban set unacceptable conditions for attending the second meeting.
Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have rejected calls for the formation of an inclusive government and to ensure women's rights to education and work. As a result, no country has recognized the Taliban government.
The country's banking reserves are frozen in the West, and senior Taliban leaders are on US wanted lists. Last week the European Union announced a €150 million ($160 million) humanitarian aid package to the country.
The Taliban has been seeking more cooperation with the UN -- while also rejecting the world body's initiatives, according to a DPA report. In December, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution asking the UN Secretary-General to appoint a special envoy for Afghanistan. The Taliban has consistently been against having such a figure for the country.
