A/RES/72/10 The situation in Afghanistan especially neighbouring countries, and international organizations to remain engaged in the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process, and recognizes the impact that terrorist attacks have on the Afghan people and risk having on future prospects for a peace settlement; 18. Welcomes, in this regard, the strategic plan for peace and reconciliation presented by the High Peace Council of Afghanistan, and calls upon armed opposition groups, in particular the Taliban, to recognize their responsibility for peace in Afghanistan and to enter into direct talks with the Government of Afghanistan, without preconditions; 19. Also welcomes the peace agreement signed by the Government of Afghanistan and the High Peace Council with Hizb -i Islami on 22 September 2016 as an important development in the overall peace effort of the Government, and calls for its effective implementation; 20. Encourages Afghanistan and Pakistan to enhance their relationship, which could lead to cooperation to combat terrorism effectively and move forward the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process; 21. Recalls that women play a vital role in the peace process, as recogn ized by the Security Council in its resolution 1325 (2000) of 31 October 2000 and in related resolutions, including resolution 2242 (2015) of 13 October 2015, welcomes steps taken by the Government of Afghanistan in implementing its national action plan on women, peace and security, recognizes in this regard the increasing role of women in the peace process, as manifested in their representa tion in the High Peace Council and its provincial committees and secretariats, as well as their contribution to the development of the Afghanistan peace and reconciliation strategy, as reflected in the recent report of the Secretary-General, 3 supports further efforts in this regard, and encourages the Government of Afghanistan to further support the active participation of women in the peace process; 22. Recognizes that there is no purely military solution to ensure the stability of Afghanistan, welcomes the continuation of the efforts of all regional and international partners of Afghanistan to support peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan, through the Kabul Process for Peace and Security Cooperation, initiated on 6 June 2017 in Kabul under the leadership of the Government of Afghanistan, the work of the Quadrilateral Coordination Group of Afghanistan, China, Pakistan and the United States of America on the Afghan Peace and Reconciliation Process, the International Contact Group on Afghanistan, the Moscow dialogue consultations and other relevant international and regional initiatives towards the holding of early direct peace talks between the Government of Afghanistan and authorized representatives of Taliban groups, and calls upon all regional and international partners of Afghanistan to continue their efforts, recognizing that success can only be achieved through a unified and close coordination of efforts under the leadership and ownership of the Government of Afghanistan; Democracy 23. Emphasizes the importance of all parties in Afghanistan working together to achieve a unified, peaceful, democratic and prosperous future for all the people of Afghanistan; 24. Recalls the commitment of the Government of Afghanistan, reiterated at the Tokyo Conference on Afghanistan on 8 July 2012, to strengthening and __________________ 3 6/13 A/71/616-S/2016/768. 17-20698