Two senior United Nations officials are urging Western nations to re-engage with Afghanistan to prevent the country from descending into instability, warning that the consequences of inaction could extend far beyond its borders. The call comes amid multiple crises facing the impoverished, aid-dependent nation, including a significant influx of returning refugees and severe cuts to international aid.
"The lesson of (the) recent past is that ignoring Afghanistan is not a good thing to do," said Barham Salih, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, in an interview with The Associated Press alongside Alexander De Croo, head of the United Nations Development Program. The officials made their remarks during a joint visit to Afghanistan.
Salih emphasized the importance of engagement to support policies that ensure Afghanistan's safety and security. "Without it, I think we may well risk instability, with all the implications of that instability," he stated, citing potential issues such as drugs, extremism, criminal activity, and the movement of refugees.
Afghanistan is currently grappling with a complex web of challenges. Since 2023, nearly 6 million people have returned to the country, primarily from Pakistan and Iran, following crackdowns on migrants in those neighboring nations. The UN officials anticipate another approximately 2 million returns this year. These returnees place additional strain on local communities that already suffer from widespread poverty and malnutrition.
The situation has been exacerbated by substantial reductions in international aid and policies implemented by the Taliban government that have restricted opportunities for women and girls, limiting their access to education and employment.
Internationally, Afghanistan remains isolated, with no Western nation having formally recognized the Taliban government since its takeover in August 2021. Russia was the first country to officially recognize the government in 2025. However, a recent meeting in Brussels between a Taliban delegation and European Union staff on diplomatic services and the return of Afghans from Europe signaled a potential easing of this isolation.
Despite the significant challenges, the UN officials noted areas of improvement, particularly in security and efforts to combat corruption and drug production. De Croo highlighted a reported 95% decrease in drug production, stating, "I wouldn’t close my eyes to the fact that there is progress, and maybe progress that no one would have expected five years ago."
However, De Croo cautioned that continued international cooperation is vital, especially in supporting farmers with alternative livelihoods to poppy cultivation. "If we cannot continue working together with farmers in giving them an alternative for producing drugs," he warned, "then drug cultivation could return."
He also pointed to the tangible impact of aid cuts, noting that 422 medical centers closed within a year due to lack of funding, affecting over 3 million people who lost access to basic healthcare. Earlier this year, the World Food Program reported being forced to turn away a large percentage of malnourished children due to funding shortfalls.
"If you want to live in peace and stability, your neighborhood also needs to be at peace and stability," De Croo asserted, underscoring the interconnectedness of global security.
The restrictions on women and girls remain a significant point of contention with the international community. Salih expressed hope that "constructive engagement will show the way forward in that regard," emphasizing the need for "tangible reforms that will allow for an inclusive system in this country."
"It is vital to remind the world that the price of inaction far outweighs action," Salih concluded. "You cannot ignore Afghanistan, and what happens in Afghanistan does not necessarily stay in Afghanistan."