A/RES/68/11 The situation in Afghanistan Conference on Afghanistan, the Delhi Investment Summit on Afghanistan and its recommendations for promoting foreign investment and private sector development and partnerships of Afghanistan, the Economic Cooperation Organization, the Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation Programme and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, as well as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the European Union and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in promoting the development of Afghanistan; 81. Welcomes the decision of the States members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to grant Afghanistan observer status in the Organization; 82. Welcomes and urges further efforts to strengthen the process of regional economic cooperation, including measures to facilitate regional trade and transit, including through regional and bilateral transit trade agreements, expanded consular visa cooperation and facilitation of business travel, to expand trade, to increase foreign investments and to develop infrastructure, including infrastructural connectivity, energy supply, transport and integrated border management, with a view to promoting sustainable economic growth and the creation of jobs in Afghanistan, noting the historical role of Afghanistan as a land bridge in Asia; 83. Encourages the Group of Eight countries to continue to stimulate and support cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours through mutual consultation and agreement, including on development projects in areas such as infrastructural connectivity, border management and economic development; Counter-narcotics 84. Welcomes the efforts of the Government of Afghanistan in fighting drug production in Afghanistan, takes note of the report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime entitled “Afghanistan Opium Survey 2012”, released in May 2013, reiterates its deep concern about the increase in the cultivation and production of illicit narcotic drugs in Afghanistan, mainly concentrated in areas where the Taliban, Al-Qaida and other violent and extremist groups and criminals are particularly active, as well as the ongoing drug trafficking, and, based on the principle of common and shared responsibility, stresses the need for strengthened joint, more coordinated and resolute efforts by the Government, supported by the international and regional actors as well as the International Security Assistance Force, within their designated responsibilities, to fight this menace; 85. Stresses the importance of a comprehensive and balanced approach in addressing the drug problem of Afghanistan, which, to be effective, must be integrated into the wider context of efforts carried out in the areas of security, governance, the rule of law and human rights, and economic and social development; 86. Also stresses, in this regard, that the development of alternative livelihood programmes is of key importance in the success of the counter-narcotics efforts in Afghanistan and that sustainable strategies require international cooperation, and urges the Government of Afghanistan, assisted by the international community, to promote the development of sustainable livelihoods in the formal production sector, as well as in other sectors, and to improve access to reasonable and sustainable credit and financing in rural areas, thus improving substantially the lives, health and security of the people, particularly in rural areas; 87. Notes with great concern the strong nexus between the drug trade and terrorist activities by the Taliban, Al-Qaida and other violent and extremist groups and criminal groups, which pose a serious threat to security, the rule of law and 18/21