Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representatives of Vietnam to the UN, urged all relevant parties to stop the violence, fully respect international humanitarian law, and ensure unhindered humanitarian access for those in need. The Vietnamese representative commended efforts made by the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and its partners in supporting demining and offering mine risk education. Quy stressed the need for addressing economic, humanitarian, and food security challenges as well as promoting women's and youth's engagement in all aspects of society in Afghanistan. He affirmed Vietnam's support of efforts of the UN, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), countries, regional organizations and other international partners in promoting the peace process in Afghanistan. The event, chaired by Eva-Maria Liimets, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Estonia and Council President for June, saw the attendance of foreign ministers of Afghanistan, Norway, Ireland, India, and the UK. Rapporteurs expressed their serious concern over escalating violence and civilian casualties in Afghanistan in the recent past as well as the stalled peace negotiations between the Afghanistan Government and the Taliban. Deborah Lyons, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan and head of the UNAMA, stated that the UNAMA continues to work to tackle humanitarian challenges, assist the peace negotiation process, and promote development and reconstruction. Participating council members shared the concern and called for parties involved to soon achieve practical results in negotiations. According to the UNAMA, civilian casualties in Afghanistan increased by 29 percent in the first quarter of 2021, with 573 people killed, 1,210 injured. The nation is also facing a severe humanitarian crisis, with more than 18.4 million people, or more than a third of the population, needing humanitarian assistance. Source: VNA …
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