In a joint statement issued after the Fourth Quadripartite Meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, the foreign ministers of Pakistan, China, Iran, and Russia on Thursday urged Afghanistan’s interim government to take verifiable and concrete action against terrorist groups operating within the country.
Hosted by Russia, the meeting focused on Afghanistan’s security, humanitarian, economic, and political situation.
The four nations expressed deep concern over the continued presence of terrorist organizations in Afghanistan, including ISIL, Al Qaeda, the Eastern Turkestan Islamic Movement, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Jaish al-Adl, and the Balochistan Liberation Army. The joint statement warned that these groups pose serious threats to both regional and global security.
The ministers emphasized that countering terrorism, radicalism, and drug crime originating from Afghan territory was a shared responsibility and aligned with the interests of all regional stakeholders. They urged the Afghan authorities to fulfill international commitments, dismantle terrorist infrastructure, and prevent terrorist recruitment and fundraising. The four sides also highlighted the need to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a base for foreign terrorist fighters.
Beyond security, the joint statement touched on humanitarian and economic concerns. The foreign ministers underscored the importance of continued emergency humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, stressing that such support must not be politicized. They reiterated the need for international efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Afghan people, including the provision of food, medical aid, and basic services.
The quartet also commended efforts to reduce opium cultivation in Afghanistan and called for stronger measures to combat narcotics production and trafficking, including synthetic drugs like methamphetamine. They called on international actors to assist in promoting alternative livelihoods through agricultural development.
On political matters, the ministers urged the Afghan authorities to establish an inclusive and broad-based governance system that reflects the interests of all segments of Afghan society. They emphasized respect for the rights of all ethnic and religious groups, including women and girls, particularly in access to education, employment, and public life.
The four sides also called on NATO member states to take responsibility for Afghanistan’s current challenges, lift unilateral sanctions, unfreeze Afghan assets, and support the country’s economic recovery. They advocated for the return of Afghan refugees and called for safe, dignified, and voluntary repatriation processes.
Expressing appreciation for host countries, particularly Iran and Pakistan, for sheltering millions of Afghan refugees, the ministers appealed for sustained international support to refugee-hosting communities. They also urged Afghan authorities to take steps for conditions that facilitated the return of Afghan refugees to their homeland, prevent further migration. Kabul, they said, must take serious measures to ensure returnees’ livelihoods and reintegration into political and social processes to achieve a lasting solution.
The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to Afghanistan’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. They rejected foreign interference and reiterated support for diplomatic efforts, including those led by the United Nations and regional mechanisms such as the Moscow Format and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
The statement concluded with a call for continued quadrilateral consultations, referencing the recent joint meeting of special representatives from the four countries held in Dushanbe on Sept. 12. The ministers agreed that regional coordination remains essential to achieving long-term peace and stability in Afghanistan.