KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The organization “Women for Afghanistan” has announced the holding of a two-day conference titled “Towards Unity and Trust,” with the participation of a number of Taliban opponents and political and civil activists in London.
According to a statement by the organization, the meeting began yesterday (March 24)and will continue today (Wednesday, March 25).
“Women for Afghanistan” stated that the meeting is being held with the participation of around 40 individuals, including “representatives of political parties, dialogue processes, representatives of civil society organizations, media representatives, and prominent and influential political and civil figures.”
The organization added that “the discussion is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen unity and consolidate shared principles and universal values in addressing the current crisis in Afghanistan.”
According to the organization, the meeting will also focus on constructive discussions around a shared vision for the future of Afghanistan, including key priorities that can help participants outline a future that the people of Afghanistan deserve and hope for.
“Women for Afghanistan” said that the first day of the meeting was held “with the aim of enhancing mutual understanding and creating a space of trust for solidarity and cooperation among various groups, including parties and diverse political and civil currents in Afghanistan, and was based on the shared principles and points of agreement identified in the first round of discussions.”
“Furthermore, in this round of discussions, the focus will be on constructive discussions around a shared vision for the future of Afghanistan, including fundamental priorities that can help participants envision a future that the people of Afghanistan deserve and aspire to.”
The organization further added that the second day “will include sessions with international partners, including diplomats, ambassadors, members of the House of Lords (Senate) and the House of Commons of Britain, as well as civil society organizations and think tanks based in Britain that are involved in the Afghanistan issue. These discussions will be held with the aim of strengthening understanding of key priorities for Afghanistan and fostering dialogue between participants and Afghanistan’s international counterparts.”
“Women for Afghanistan” expressed hope that this series of dialogues will contribute to a process of trust-building to strengthen joint work, pave the way for convergence, and identify shared priorities in order to shape a peaceful, stable, just, and inclusive future for Afghanistan; a future in which women have a central and meaningful role.
Such meetings come at a critical time when Afghanistan continues to face political uncertainty, humanitarian challenges, and restrictions on fundamental rights, particularly for women and girls. The initiative reflects ongoing efforts by various Afghan political and civil actors to create a platform for dialogue, trust-building, and coordination among different groups.
The first round of the “Towards Unity and Trust” meeting, which was held last year in Islamabad, also brought together a similar range of participants to discuss shared concerns and possible common ground. However, that gathering drew criticism from some observers and political figures, including Zalmay Khalilzad, who suggested that the meeting was held at the request of Pakistan’s intelligence services.
Despite such criticisms, supporters of these dialogues argue that they provide an important opportunity to facilitate communication among Afghan stakeholders, encourage cooperation, and explore pathways toward a more inclusive and stable future for Afghanistan, while also engaging with international partners on key priorities.
