FOREIGN MINISTER Retno Marsudi, while in Doha, Qatar, to attend the 3rd Meeting of Special Envoys on Afghanistan or Doha III, delivered a number of special messages.
In the meeting initiated by the UN Secretary General, the follow-up to the UN Secretary General’s independent assessment of Afghanistan was discussed in order to help the Afghan people emerge from the multidimensional crisis they are currently facing.
The Doha III meeting was led by the UN Under Secretary General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo and attended by the de facto authority (DFA) in Afghanistan, namely the Taliban and representatives from 25 countries, including the United States, Indonesia, England, Italy, Japan, South Korea, India, China, Germany, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Canada, Norway, Russia, Turkey, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia and also attended by a number of international organizations, including the UN, the European Union, the OIC, and the Asian Development Bank.
For the first time, the de facto authority (DFA) in Afghanistan, the Taliban, was present at the Doha III meeting. DFA’s participation in Doha III was not at all related to the issue of recognition of the DFA by the international community, but rather an effort to realize an inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders in Afghanistan, including dialogue on women’s rights in the context of education and employment.
In addition to exchanging views on more general issues, the Doha III meeting discussed two main topics, namely Enabling the Private Sector, with much to say regarding economic issues; and Counter Narcotics: Sustaining Progress Made. The meeting was very open and constructive. The delegates expressed their commitment to making the interests of the Afghan people the focus of cooperation.
“Some things that emerged in the Meeting, among others, that the meeting recognized some progress in Afghanistan, for example related to security issues. The meeting also appreciated the “poppy ban” policy or the complete ban on planting opium in Afghanistan,” said Retno in her statement received by Media Indonesia, Tuesday (2/7).
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This policy has reduced 95% of opium cultivation in Afghanistan. The challenge of this policy is how to prepare alternative livelihoods for farmers who previously grew opium.
Therefore, economic activities must be prepared so that farmers do not return to planting opium or engaging in illicit drug trafficking activities.
While economy means people, so inclusive economy involving women must be part of building Afghanistan’s economy. Women’s issues are always brought up in every issue discussed.
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Retno said rebuilding trust is very important in the banking system. Then also the importance of building an enabling environment for the growth of an inclusive private sector.
Indonesia and Afghanistan have established cooperation, for example with UNAMA in the field of financial inclusion by developing the Sharia Microfinance Business Model. Then cooperation in developing sharia banking.
Communication is currently ongoing and as a note, the World Bank in its presentation specifically mentioned Indonesia as a country that can contribute in this regard.
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Then, another thing that was conveyed was regarding the readiness to establish contact between Indonesian and Afghan female entrepreneurs.
Regarding the importance of awareness of sanctions properly to avoid unnecessary impacts on the Afghan economy. He also proposed a Working Group specifically to discuss economic cooperation more concretely and involve relevant stakeholders to contribute to economic cooperation.
Then in the discussion on counter-narcotics, Retno conveyed that the issue of drugs is not only worrying for Afghanistan, but also an issue that will have an impact on the region and the world. The world needs to appreciate the poppy ban policy.
The question is what form of support can the international community provide so that this policy can improve the welfare of the Afghan people. What also needs to be done is rehabilitation for drug users.
“Indonesia is ready to assist rehabilitation efforts and reintegration programs into society. It is also important to provide alternative sources for the lives of the Afghan people. Indonesia is committed to preparing alternative livelihoods for 2,000 households in Chaparhar District in Nangarhar Province, through support for agronomic practices that have an impact on more than 14 thousand Afghan people,” he explained.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Retno discussed the development of the situation in Gaza, and peace efforts that can be pushed with Qatari officials. Indonesia and Qatar are committed to continuing to help the struggle of the Palestinian people. (Z-3)
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