The 8th Session of the Afghanistan Future Thought Forum (AFTF) kicked off in Istanbul on Tuesday, focusing on a range of critical issues, including the outcomes of the recent independent assessment commissioned by the United Nations.

The three-day forum is jointly hosted by Türkiye's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation.

Key figures attending the forum include Oğuzhan Ertuğrul, Türkiye’s director general for South Asia, and the UN’s special coordinator for Afghanistan, Feridun Sinirlioğlu. Sinirlioğlu, who recently conducted an independent assessment of Afghanistan, presented his findings during the meeting.

Sultan Barakat, Director of Conflict and Humanitarian Studies at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, mentioned in a post on X that participants would also discuss responses to recent natural disasters, the forced return of Afghans from Pakistan and Iran, and the impact of women's conditions on health issues in Afghanistan.

In early November, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres presented Sinirlioğlu’s independent assessment to the Security Council. The report proposed strategies for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) to emerge from international isolation, suggesting the need for a national dialogue to establish an inclusive government.

The AFTF serves as a platform for addressing pressing issues in Afghanistan and fostering international collaboration to navigate the country's complex challenges. The outcomes of the forum are anticipated to contribute to ongoing efforts to stabilize and rebuild Afghanistan in the post-conflict era. (ILKHA)