Discussions behind closed doors
Since taking power two years ago, the Taliban have systematically excluded women and girls from public life. The goal of the two-day meeting in Doha, according to Guterres, was to find a common international approach in dealing with the Taliban.
It was not about a possible recognition of the Taliban’s de facto government. Guterres had invited representatives from around 20 countries as well as international organizations to the closed-door discussions.
The participants agreed that an engagement strategy was necessary, one that enabled the stabilization of Afghanistan, but also addressed important concerns, said Guterres. “The participants are concerned about the stability of Afghanistan and have expressed these serious concerns.”