Recently, President Obama unveiled his Afghanistan-Pakistan policy review and restated the United States' goal to defeat Al Qaida in both countries. He also noted that to be successful in the region "we must seek civilian support from our partners and allies from the United Nations and the international aid organizations."
In Afghanistan, the UN has worked to promote democracy, humanitarian assistance and stability over the past seven years. This year, the UN has helped register almost 4.5 million voters – 38% of these new voters are women. UN agencies have assisted in the return, registration and repatriation of over 4.7 million refugees.
And over the past few years, the Secretary-General and UN officials have helped efforts that led to January's joint declaration on bilateral cooperation and the resumption of the Peace Jirga process, which is aimed at reducing conflict along their volatile border.
Clearly, there is work that remains to be done to establish a better future in Afghanistan - but the role of the UN is vital to that effort. Please sign our petition to President Obama and urge him to continue supporting the UN's work to promote democracy and humanitarian aid for a better future in Afghanistan.
Dear President Obama,
We welcome your support of the valuable work done in Afghanistan and Pakistan by the United Nations and international aid organizations, and agree that to be successful in the region "we must seek civilian support from our partners and allies from the United Nations and the international aid organizations."
In Afghanistan, the UN has played a vital role in promoting democracy, humanitarian assistance and stability over the past seven years by:
Promoting Democracy: In 2005, the UN helped lead voter registration efforts, which culminated in the first meeting of a democratically elected parliament in Afghanistan in over 20 years. This year, the UN is providing technical assistance in preparation for this August's presidential elections, and has helped register almost 4.5 million voters. 38% of these new voters are women.
Undertaking Humanitarian Assistance: UN agencies have assisted in the return, registration and repatriation of over 4.7 million refugees.
Coordinating Regional Cooperation: Over the past several years, the Secretary-General and UN officials have brokered a series of high-level meetings between Pakistani and Afghani officials. This effort helped lead to January's signing of a joint declaration on bilateral cooperation and the resumption of the Peace Jirga process, which is aimed at reducing conflict along their volatile border.
Clearly, there is work that remains to be done to establish a better future in Afghanistan and defeat Al Qaida in both countries, as you have mentioned in your Afghanistan-Pakistan policy review. We urge you to continue to support and work with the UN to promote democracy and humanitarian aid for a better future in Afghanistan.
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