A/RES/61/18 Welcoming the constitution of the national Government, and noting the importance of it being representative of the ethnic diversity of the country and ensuring also the adequate participation of women, Welcoming also the finalization of the ten-year strategy for justice reform in Afghanistan, and expressing its appreciation for the appointment and confirmation of a highly qualified Supreme Court, Welcoming further, in this regard, the guarantee of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all Afghans in the new Constitution as a significant step towards an improved situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular for women and children, Recalling Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) of 31 October 2000 on women and peace and security, and applauding the progress achieved in the empowerment of women in Afghan politics as historic milestones in the political process, which will help to consolidate durable peace and national stability in Afghanistan, while noting the need to promote the empowerment of women also at the provincial level, Noting at the same time with concern reports of continued violations of human rights and of international humanitarian law and violent or discriminatory practices, in particular against women and girls, in certain parts of the country, and stressing the need for adherence to international standards of tolerance and religious freedom, Welcoming the presentation of the interim Afghanistan National Development Strategy 4 and the adoption of the first report on the Millennium Development Goals by the Government of Afghanistan as well as the further efforts of the Government to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, Welcoming also the continuing and growing ownership of the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts by the Government of Afghanistan, and emphasizing the crucial need to achieve ownership in all fields of governance and to improve institutional capabilities, including at the provincial level, in order to use aid more effectively, Expressing its appreciation for the humanitarian assistance work of the international community in the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan, recognizing the necessity of further addressing the slow pace of change in the living conditions of the Afghan people, and noting the need to strengthen the capacity of the Government of Afghanistan to deliver basic services and to promote development, Welcoming the continuous return of refugees and internally displaced persons, while noting with concern that conditions in parts of Afghanistan are not yet conducive to safe and sustainable returns to some places of origin and that high concentration of returns to major urban areas have placed an extreme burden on limited urban resources, Aware of the high vulnerability of Afghanistan to natural disasters and harsh climate conditions, in particular drought or flooding, Expressing its appreciation for the work of the provincial reconstruction teams and of the executive steering committee, _______________ 4 S/2006/105, annex. 3