Remarks by Ambassador M. Ashraf Haidari on the Challenge of Forced Displacement in Afghanistan at the Fifth Round of the Vienna Process Conference

Excellencies,

Distinguished Panelists,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Foremost, I would like to thank our host, the organizers, and everyone supporting the Vienna Process. As the founder and president of Displaced International (DI), I want to highlight something that is often overlooked: the undeniable connection between conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and the global challenge of forced displacement and migration. Nowhere is this clearer than in Afghanistan, where people have endured over four decades of displacement due to endless conflict and geopolitical struggles.

Many of you in this room know firsthand that forced displacement and migration in places like Afghanistan, Ukraine, and parts of Africa aren’t isolated crises. They are symptoms—symptoms of unresolved conflicts fueled by external geopolitical forces. And that brings us to a crucial point: any asylum or immigration policy—whether in Europe, North America, or beyond—must be rooted in a firm commitment to conflict resolution and peacebuilding. This isn’t just about morality; it’s about national and global security.

At Displaced International, we envision a world where peace, coexistence, and dialogue replace war and violence. We believe that prioritizing sustainable human security allows nations to use their limited resources to address the root causes of displacement rather than its consequences. As someone who has experienced displacement firsthand, I know how important it is to amplify the voices of refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced people, and stateless individuals—people whose lives have been shaped by conflict.

Thanks to the Vienna Process, I have the privilege today to speak on behalf of over 10 million displaced Afghans—whether they remain within Afghanistan, seek refuge in neighboring countries like Pakistan and Iran, or embark on uncertain journeys to Europe and across the world. This is one of the largest displaced populations globally, impacting over one-third of Afghanistan’s people.

For over four decades, Afghans have endured relentless cycles of conflict—from the Soviet invasion of the 1980s and the proxy wars of the 1990s to the post-9/11 Pakistan-sponsored terror campaigns and, most recently, the chaotic NATO withdrawal in 2021. Each chapter of this history has deepened the humanitarian crisis, leaving millions without a place to call home.

As we sit here today, the numbers remain staggering: over 3 million Afghans are internally displaced, more than 4 million live as refugees in Iran, over 2 million in Pakistan, and over a million more are scattered across the world. Every single day, thousands more flee, escaping insecurity, political persecution, ethnic and sectarian violence, gender-based oppression, and extreme poverty. And with the absence of a legitimate and inclusive government—recognized both by the Afghan people and the international community—this crisis is only getting worse.

This is not just a complex humanitarian crisis—it’s a global security concern. We cannot ignore the far-reaching consequences of instability in Afghanistan. The international community must listen to those who have been displaced and take meaningful action.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Now, let us talk about leadership. The United States has a key role to play. President Donald Trump has expressed his desire to be remembered as a “peacemaker,” someone who ends wars and fosters lasting stability. We recognize the administration’s efforts in Ukraine, but let us ask ourselves: if there is another nation in desperate need of sustainable peace and stability, is it not Afghanistan?

The U.S. has an opportunity here—to support the Vienna Process and other meaningful initiatives in bringing sustainable peace to Afghanistan. Beyond robust diplomacy, appointing a high-level envoy to rally regional and international support for a political settlement could be a game-changer. A real political settlement is the only way forward. And in return, the U.S. would gain something invaluable—greater global security, a reduction in the need for Afghan resettlement programs, and the ability to unlock and invest in Afghanistan’s vast economic potential, including the natural resources sector.

Afghanistan’s neighbors—Pakistan, Iran, Russia, China, and India—are also beginning to realize something important: terrorist groups are unreliable partners. While each of them has engaged pragmatically with the Taliban, they all share deep concerns about the growing threats of terrorism, extremism, criminal networks, and separatist movements originating from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Supporting the restoration of legitimacy in Afghanistan is in their best interest too. A stable, inclusive Afghan government would encourage millions of refugees in Pakistan and Iran to return home—just as they have in the past. And despite their broader geopolitical differences, these nations should welcome a U.S.-led peace initiative that tackles forced displacement at its roots.

And then there’s the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The OIC has a moral obligation to stand with the people of Afghanistan—especially the women and children—who have suffered under Taliban rule. Their suffering under a gender apartheid regime has even fueled Islamophobia worldwide. OIC nations must step up, working bilaterally and multilaterally to support the resumption of intra-Afghan dialogue for sustainable peace under the United Nations, as outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 2679 (2023). The UN Secretary-General’s independent assessment on Afghanistan, completed in November 2023, provides a critical foundation for action, and the Vienna Process is well positioned to help move that forward.

As we discussed yesterday, the UN and its affiliated bodies—including the Security Council and the International Criminal Court—have issued numerous resolutions and rulings, addressing Afghanistan’s overlapping crises: a crisis of legitimacy, ongoing conflict, gender apartheid, extreme poverty, and forced displacement. But resolutions and arrest warrants for crimes against humanity alone are not enough. It is time for decisive action.

The United States, alongside other permanent Security Council members such as Russia and China, must take the lead in strengthening the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). This should include appointing a dedicated special envoy who will collaborate closely with America’s special envoy and representatives from Afghanistan’s neighboring countries. Together, they must work to implement a comprehensive strategy that ends war and fosters sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Over the next three to six months, Afghan stakeholders must build on the Vienna Process deliberations to lay the groundwork for a coordinated, high-level peace process. This process must involve the United States, Afghanistan’s neighbors, key OIC nations, and the United Nations. Together, we must end Afghanistan’s 46-year-long war and its displacement crisis.

Success here isn’t just a win for Afghanistan. It’s a win for regional stability. It’s a win for global security. And it’s a win for all of us—because a world without the interconnected threats of terrorism, extremism, gender apartheid, and organized crime is a safer world for everyone.

The time for action is now.

Thank you.