Ambassador Kelly Craft
Permanent Representative
U.S. Mission to the United Nations
New York City
September 17, 2019
AS DELIVERED
Thank you, Mr. President.
First, we wish to thank the co-penholders, Germany and Indonesia, for their diligence and commitment to drafting a new mandate that will provide UNAMA the guidance needed to advance its core mission.
The United States voted in favor of the Security Council Resolution today to renew the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan for one year with an updated mandate to address new developments on the ground.
Just last night, terrorist attacks targeted President Ghani’s election campaign rally, claiming at least 26 lives. We condemn these horrific attacks and convey our sympathies to the victims.
The attacks are yet another reminder of the critical role of UNAMA in supporting the people and government of Afghanistan, and underscore the importance of the Council’s duty to provide UNAMA with a strong and full mandate.
This mandate renewal empowers the Mission to support elections, facilitate peace and reconciliation efforts, and promote good governance and human rights.
However, I should note that the reason we cannot empower the mission with a stronger substantive mandate today is a member’s insistence on language that highlights national political priorities, rather than ways in which we can most effectively assist the people and government of Afghanistan.
We remain steadfast in our commitment to the people of Afghanistan, and to peace in their country.
And we look forward to working with the Mission, the government and people of Afghanistan, and all Security Council members to advance peace, security, and human rights in Afghanistan.
Thank you.
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