Five years after the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, the United Nations continues to engage with the de facto authorities, emphasizing that dialogue, however limited, is preferable to a complete breakdown in communication. UN officials believe their presence in Kabul makes a difference, pointing to discussions on prisoner treatment and the enforcement of the morality code, as well as efforts to improve humanitarian access.
"Engagement is slow, progress is incremental, and reversals are frequent," a UN summary states regarding the past five years of on-off dialogue. Georgette Gagnon, the acting head of the UN mission in Afghanistan, stressed the importance of staying the course, asserting that "a stalled process is better than no process."
The UN has faced criticism for not taking a firmer stance against the Taliban, including for participating in forums like the Doha Process. In one instance, a Taliban delegation met in Qatar in 2024 to discuss various issues, with the condition that no Afghan women's representatives be present. UN officials maintain that all issues were discussed and that subsequent meetings have included women's participation.
A new, more structured negotiation process known as Mosaic focuses on six core issues. These include human rights, women's rights, inclusive governance, and counterterrorism on one side, and Taliban demands such as sanctions relief, asset unfreezing, and diplomatic recognition on the other. Gagnon described these as "small steps on the long road," noting that "confidence and reciprocity are beginning to take shape to open the door to engagement on the most difficult issues."
UN officials advocate for a collective international effort, arguing that "pressure has not worked so far, threats have not worked; our best chance lies in consistent and common messaging and action."