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Ghani lands in Ufa for BRICS summit

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Last Updated on: October 25, 2022

Britain Afghanistan

Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani arrived at Ufa International Airport in the Russian Republic of Bashkortostan, Thursday, to attend the seventh BRICS summit.

The leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa are expected to discuss further cooperation between the countries of the bloc, particularly within the context of the newly-formed New Development Bank (NDB).

The summit comes ahead of the 15th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on July 9 and 10, also taking place in Ufa. In total, 10,000 visitors are expected at the two events.

It has been said that President Ghani will call for the permanent membership of Afghanistan in the organization.

Political deputy of the foreign ministry said that stability in Afghanistan and region, peace talks with Taliban and fight against terrorist groups are the key issues in SCO summits.

“President Ghani will have 10 bilitrial meetings with presidents of SCO member countries and the main focus is stability in Afghanistan and the region,” Hekmat Khalil Karzai, deputy political of foreign ministry said.

According to Russian sources, Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold talks with President Ghani on the sidelines of SCO and BRICS summits in Russia’s UFA on July 10.

The SCO could prove a guarantor for projects such as the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project.

The five BRICS emerging economies – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – will meet from July 8 to 9.

The SCO – which is a political, economic and military organization founded by China, Russia, and Central Asia’s Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan – is scheduled for July 9-10.

Meanwhile,  China on Wednesday said it is “willing” to cooperate with both India and Pakistan countries to work for the stability of war-torn Afghanistan.

“Since 2009, SCO has had many contacts with Afghanistan, and we are also willing to cooperate with India and Pakistan on the Afghan issue,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Hua Chunying told a media briefing here on Wednesday.

“We hope to play a constructive role to this end. Afghanistan is an important country and observer of SCO, and its situation bears on the security and stability of Central Asia,” Hua said.

This is President Ghani’s first trip to Russia and attends to SCO summits. Ghani will gather the consultation of SCO members regarding Peace negotiations with Taliban on the sidelines of the summit.

 

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Kabul faces deepening water crisis as supplies dwindle and demand surges

At the same time, Kabul’s population has surged dramatically — from around 2.5 million in 2001 to an estimated 6 million today — placing unprecedented strain on already limited resources.

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Residents of Kabul are grappling with a worsening water shortage, as falling groundwater levels, rapid population growth and climate pressures push the Afghan capital toward a looming humanitarian crisis.

In poorer neighbourhoods such as Deh Mazang, access to clean water has become a daily struggle. Many residents rely on distant wells or must purchase water delivered by small tankers — an expense that is increasingly out of reach.

“We have no money for food. How can we get water?” said one elderly resident, reflecting growing frustration among communities forced to carry heavy containers across long distances.

Groundwater depletion accelerates

Kabul, situated in the Hindu Kush, depends heavily on groundwater extracted from wells. But years of overuse have caused water levels to drop sharply, with some wells now drilled as deep as 150 metres.

A 2025 report by Mercy Corps found that aquifer levels in the city have fallen by as much as 25 to 30 metres over the past decade, raising concerns that current supplies may soon become unsustainable.

Experts warn that without urgent intervention, Kabul could face severe water shortages within years.

Climate and urban growth worsen shortages

Climate change has intensified the crisis as reduced snowfall and recurring droughts have limited the natural replenishment of groundwater, while heavier, short bursts of rain often lead to flooding rather than absorption into the soil.

At the same time, Kabul’s population has surged dramatically — from around 2.5 million in 2001 to an estimated 6 million today — placing unprecedented strain on already limited resources.

According to water management specialist Najibullah Sadid, the crisis was inevitable even without climate change due to rapid urbanisation and population growth. In many areas, shallow aquifers have already run dry, and expanding urban infrastructure has reduced the land available for water to seep back underground.

Mismanagement and overuse add pressure

Water mismanagement has further compounded the problem. Large-scale users, including commercial enterprises, have been criticised for excessive groundwater extraction, worsening depletion.

Officials acknowledge the severity of the situation and a spokesperson for the Ministry of Water and Energy described Kabul’s water supply as “critical,” citing population growth, declining rainfall and rising consumption as key drivers.

Authorities have introduced restrictions on groundwater use, including quotas for businesses and monitoring systems aimed at limiting excessive consumption.

Infrastructure projects fall short

Efforts to address the crisis include the construction of small check dams and absorption wells to help recharge groundwater, as well as upgrades to existing infrastructure such as the Shah wa Arous and Qargha dams.

However, experts say these measures are insufficient without major long-term investments.

Two key projects — a pipeline from the Panjshir River and the long-planned Shah Toot Dam — could significantly ease shortages by supplying water to millions. But both have been delayed due to funding and planning challenges.

Analysts warn however that without prioritising water infrastructure, Kabul risks a severe crisis that could affect millions of residents.

“Water is essential,” Sadid said. “It is more important than roads.”

As the city continues to expand and climate pressures intensify, the gap between supply and demand is widening — leaving many residents struggling daily for one of life’s most basic necessities.

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Experts highlight future of Central Asia-Afghanistan dialogue at Tashkent roundtable

Participants focused on the future direction of the consultative dialogue and its role in promoting bilateral ties and broader regional cooperation.

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Regional experts and policymakers have underscored the growing importance of the Central Asia-Afghanistan Consultative Dialogue in strengthening cooperation, during a roundtable held in Tashkent.

The discussion, hosted by the International Institute for Central Asia (IICA), brought together representatives from Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, including diplomats, think tanks and leading regional experts. The event was organised by Afghanistan’s Center for Strategic Studies under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Participants focused on the future direction of the consultative dialogue and its role in promoting bilateral ties and broader regional cooperation.

IICA Director Javlon Vakhabov welcomed the recent launch of the dialogue in Kabul, describing it as a significant step toward building constructive and pragmatic engagement between Afghanistan and Central Asian states. He emphasised the role of research institutions in supporting political processes with expert analysis and practical policy recommendations.

Meanwhile, Abdul Hai Qanit, Director of Afghanistan’s Center for Strategic Studies, highlighted the contribution of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in advancing regional cooperation. He pointed to Tashkent’s economic-focused approach as a catalyst for more pragmatic and results-driven engagement with Afghanistan.

The roundtable concluded with participants reaffirming their commitment to deepening cooperation, enhancing expert-level dialogue and pursuing joint initiatives aimed at boosting regional connectivity and development.

The Central Asia–Afghanistan Consultative Dialogue is increasingly seen as a key platform for fostering stability and economic integration in the region.

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UNAMA and regional cooperation shape pragmatic engagement with Afghanistan

Afghanistan is ‘no longer viewed exclusively as a source of risks, but increasingly as a space of opportunities, especially from Central Asia’s perspective’.

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The international approach to Afghanistan continues to evolve nearly five years after the Islamic Emirate takeover, with the United Nations and regional actors increasingly favouring pragmatic engagement over isolation.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) remains central to this effort, serving as a diplomatic intermediary between the authorities and the international community, The Diplomat reported this week. Operating under a UN Security Council mandate, the mission focuses on political engagement, human rights monitoring, and coordination of humanitarian assistance in a deteriorating socio-economic environment.

UN officials argue that engagement remains the only viable option given current realities. While sanctions target individuals rather than the state, the absence of international recognition continues to limit investment and long-term development.

Regional cooperation, particularly with Central Asia, is also gaining importance. Countries in the region are expanding their role in humanitarian logistics, trade, and infrastructure connectivity, with the Uzbek city of Termez emerging as a key aid hub.

Efforts to build a unified international framework remain complicated by differing positions among global and regional actors, as well as the Afghan authorities themselves. However, UNAMA maintains that dialogue channels remain open despite persistent trust deficits.

At the same time, a broader regional development architecture is taking shape. The planned 2025 launch of the UN Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals in Almaty — supported by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev — is expected to complement UNAMA’s immediate role by focusing on long-term priorities across Central Asia.

Together, these initiatives reflect a shift toward structured, gradual engagement, with Afghanistan increasingly viewed through the lens of managed cooperation rather than isolation.

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