Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message, as delivered by Tadamichi Yamamoto, Special Representative for Afghanistan, to the sixth Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process, in Amritsar, India, 4 December:
I am honoured to greet the sixth Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process. I thank India for hosting this gathering.
Afghanistan has undergone significant political, economic and security transitions in the past two years. I commend the partnership between the Afghan Government and all regional partners who have remained engaged and committed to a more stable and prosperous future for Afghanistan and the region. I welcome the recognition that meeting the multifaceted challenges in Afghanistan is in the interest of all regional partners.
This year the international community reaffirmed its support for Afghanistan. I welcome the commitments made at the Brussels Conference, especially by regional partners. At the same time, the region continues to face several intertwined challenges, especially the threats of terrorism and transnational crime. These continue to take a heavy toll. In addition to the unacceptable loss in lives, this toll includes security expenditures and resources that could better serve the region in such areas as education, health care, and poverty eradication. Governments are under pressure to meet the expectations of their people for security, basic services and better prospects for the future.
I commend the Afghan Government for putting into place the building blocks for long-term economic development. I welcome the positive developments in regional connectivity that have taken place since the last Heart of Asia Conference one year ago. Regional economic integration, improved infrastructure connectivity as well as harmonization of trade and customs procedures are vital for Afghanistan’s long-term development and would contribute to the stability of the region.
The Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process remains a crucial platform for dialogue and common commitment. I encourage all Heart of Asia nations to reaffirm their commitment, and I assure you of the ongoing support of the United Nations. Please accept my best wishes for a successful meeting.
REF. http://www.un.org/press/en/2016/sgsm18332.doc.htm
NEWS NOTEBOOK: Russia accuses US of stalling over Aleppo rebel pullout talks (AFP)
Russia's top diplomat on Tuesday accused Washington of backtracking on planned talks in Geneva over a rebel pullout from Syria's Aleppo to "buy time" for those battling leader Bashar al-Assad.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/russia-accuses-us-of-stalling-over-aleppo-rebel-pullout-talks/ar-AAlbR7M
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