Tony Verheijen

It’s been two years since the Taliban took over in Afghanistan. Two years that upturned the lives of Afghan women and girls, their rights and futures. We can't forget the people of Afghanistan. We must amplify their voices in the fight for their rights to education and work.

These are the faces behind bringing life-saving food to millions of families in #Afghanistan every month who depend on it to survive. Today, we thank you. #WorldHumanitarianDay

1/2 Mixed feelings as my assignment w/ #UNAMA @unafghanistan ends, leaving behind 3 tumultuous years. My farewell wish is to see a path carved out for #Afghanistan where gender equality, social/economic opportunities & inclusivity lead to stability & prosperity for 40m Afghans

2/2 I take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to the entire aid community and humanitarian partners for their unwavering support to the people of #Afghanistan. Together, we were able to save lives and avert a humanitarian catastrophe.

In less than two years, Afghan women have lost generations of progress on women’s rights and building an inclusive Afghanistan. But they will never lose us. bit.ly/3MOBctF

. @UNDP’s #ABADEI programme builds essential infrastructure like canals and flood walls so communities and farms have water and flood protection throughout the year. UNDP continues to deliver for Afghan men and women, with funding from @JapaninAFG @UN_STFA

8-day joint mission to #Afghanistan with #WGDAWG completed & found extreme institutionalised gender-based discrimination which is unparalleled anywhere in the world & deeply harms Afghanistan's future. Press statement available here, full report in June: “ohchr.org/en/statements/…

“We will never be silent in the face of unprecedented, systemic attacks on women & girls’ rights.” – Speaking on Afghanistan, @antonioguterres stressed the UN will continue to speak out on behalf of women & girls, and their fundamental human rights. news.un.org/en/story/2023/…

On #WorldPressFreedomDay I pay tribute to #Afghanistan media above all women journalists who continue to report despite deplorable restrictions & risks incl to their lives. I call on #Taliban to respect a free, pluralistic, independent & inclusive media as a right of all Afghans

Germany has co-sponsored the UN Security Council resolution condemning the de facto authorities repression of women and girls in #Afghanistan. #UNSC 👇👇👇

4/4 @UNAMAnews leadership joined us and continue their vital humanitarian work and engagement with Taliban. Also received critical advice beforehand from diverse group of Afghan women living across country.

3/4 Countries assigned different priorities to these interests, but among points of consensus: political dialogue among Afghans is a central part of solution to all challenges.

1/4 Grateful to @UN Secretary General @antonioguterres for convening an important group of over 20 special envoys this week in Doha to discuss approaches to Afghanistan. @MofaQatar_EN generously hosted.

The United Nations expresses serious concern for the future of #Afghanistan’s media, with journalists forced to work in climate of intimidation and fear amid increased restrictions by the de facto authorities. #WPFD2023 UNAMA-UNESCO Press Statement: bit.ly/3HAABJ0

New Review of my "Who Matters at the World Bank" book (@OUPPolitics) in @ReviewofPE by @mthosman "valuable contribution to analyses of IOs and their policy change" + "refreshing approach" + "distinctive addition to the current debates" Link: bit.ly/3MviHdG

4/4 I admire @FatimaGailani leadership of this initiative and hope that its participants will carry their messages to the Taliban, other Afghan leaders, and key int’l stakeholders.

3/4 I heard both condemnation and support for Taliban conduct and different recommendations for how the intl community should address challenges. But every Afghan participant voiced support for dialogue and opposition to armed conflict as a solution to the country’s challenges.

2/4 The Forum convenes a dynamic mix of Afghan women and men from diverse backgrounds: economists, rights activists, former ministers, and tribal elders. Importantly, many participants traveled from Afghanistan to join.

1/4  I was honored to join the Afghan Future Thought Forum’s gathering in Doha yesterday, together with heads-of-mission of key allies and partners.

1/4 Afghanistan is at a tipping point. The urgent priority right now is to maintain the humanitarian response in the current operating environment to the best extent possible, avert famine, prevent disease outbreaks & avoid excess mortality.