The situation in Afghanistan A/RES/68/11 security nationwide, and underlining also the continuing role of the International Security Assistance Force in support of the Government and in promoting a responsible transition and the importance of the enhancement of the operational capabilities of the Afghan National Security Forces, Welcoming the joint Chicago Summit Declaration on Afghanistan, which stresses the long-term commitment of countries contributing to the International Security Assistance Force, beyond 2014, to lasting peace, security and stability in Afghanistan, noting the responsibility of the Government of Afghanistan to sustain sufficient and capable Afghan National Security Forces, supported by the international community, welcoming in this context the decision of the international community, taken at the Bonn Conference, to support the training, equipping, financing, and development of the capacity of the Afghan National Security Forces beyond the end of the transition period, welcoming also the decision of the Government and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization will work towards continuing to train, advise and assist the Afghan National Security Forces after 2014, and noting that any new mission should have a sound legal basis, as stated in paragraph 14 of the joint Chicago Summit Declaration, Reiterating the urgent need to tackle the challenges in Afghanistan, in particular the ongoing violent criminal and terrorist activities by the Taliban, Al-Qaida and other violent and extremist groups and criminals, including those involved in the narcotics trade, and the development of Government of Afghanistan institutions, including at the subnational level, the strengthening of the rule of law and democratic processes, the fight against corruption, the acceleration of justice sector reform, the promotion of national reconciliation, without prejudice to the fulfilment of the measures introduced by the Security Council in resolutions 1267 (1999) of 15 October 1999, 1988 (2011) and 1989 (2011) of 17 June 2011, and 2082 (2012) and 2083 (2012) of 17 December 2012 and other relevant resolutions, an Afghan-led transitional justice process, the safe and voluntary return of Afghan refugees and internally displaced persons in an orderly and dignified manner, the promotion and protection of human rights and the advancement of economic and social development, Deeply concerned about the high level of violence in Afghanistan, especially the number of civilian casualties, condemning in the strongest terms all violent attacks, recalling that the Taliban, Al-Qaida and other violent and extremist groups and illegal armed groups are responsible for the significant majority of the civilian casualties in Afghanistan, expressing particular serious concern about increased targeted killing of women and girls, and calling for compliance with international humanitarian and human rights law and for all appropriate measures to be taken to ensure the protection of civilians, Noting the importance of the national Government being inclusive and representative of the ethnic diversity of the country and ensuring also the full and equal participation of women, Recognizing that the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process of peace and reconciliation, supported by the international community, is essential for achieving long-term peace and stability in Afghanistan, Emphasizing the central and impartial role of the United Nations in promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan, expressing its appreciation and strong support for all efforts of the Secretary-General and his Special Representative for Afghanistan 3/21