MIKTA Statement on the Situation in Afghanistan

We, the Foreign Ministers of Mexico, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Turkey and Australia – comprising MIKTA – express our deep concern with the unfolding situation in Afghanistan and continue to monitor developments closely. We call for the full restoration of security and civil order and the overall protection of human life and property.

We condemn the evil and calculated terrorist attack at the Hamid Karzai International Airport and express our condolences to the relatives of the casualties and to the Afghan, US and British people for their losses.

We call on the Taliban to uphold its undertakings to allow those wishing to depart Afghanistan to do so safely.

We reiterate support for the work of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and emphasize the importance of the safety and security of United Nations personnel as well as diplomatic and consular personnel of United Nations Member States.

The participation of Afghan women, as well as the protection of their rights, should be ensured and must be an integral part in the future development of Afghanistan. We urge for efforts to preserve the tremendous strides that Afghan women have made in the past.

We call on the Taliban and all other parties to observe international humanitarian law, and to protect the human rights and ensure the safety and security of all Afghan people, including women, children and minorities. We reaffirm the importance of preventing and combating terrorism in Afghanistan to ensure the territory will not be used to threaten or attack any country by any terrorist organization.

We express our deep concern at the risk of increasing displacement of Afghans from and within Afghanistan and call on the international community to coordinate an effective response to the humanitarian situation.

We call for strengthened efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, and on all parties to allow immediate, safe and unhindered access for United Nations agencies and other humanitarian organizations providing assistance.

Emphasizing the right of all Afghan people to live in safety, security and with dignity, we stand ready to support the efforts of the international community to assist the Afghan people. We will remain in consultation and coordination regarding the various aspects and repercussions of recent developments in Afghanistan, including in the fields of the fulfilment of human rights, humanitarian efforts, migration and refugee flows, and counter terrorism.