A/RES/66/13 Expressing its serious concern about the high number of civilian casualties, recalling that the Taliban, Al-Qaida and other violent and extremist groups are responsible for the significant majority of the civilian casualties in Afghanistan, 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, Recognizing further progress made by the Assistance Force, authorized by the Security Council, and other international forces in ensuring the protection of the civilian population and in minimizing civilian casualties, and calling upon them to continue to make enhanced efforts in this regard, notably through the continuous review of tactics and procedures and the conduct of after-action reviews and investigations in cooperation with the Government of Afghanistan in cases where civilian casualties have occurred and when the Government finds these joint investigations appropriate, 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, Emphasizes the central and impartial role of the United Nations in 1. promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan, expresses its appreciation and strong support for all efforts of the Secretary-General and his Special Representative in this regard, expresses its appreciation also for the work of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan in accordance with Security Council resolution 1974 (2011), stresses the leading role of the Assistance Mission in Afghanistan in seeking to further improve the coherence and coordination of international civilian efforts, guided by the principle of reinforcing Afghan ownership and leadership, and in this regard looks forward to the results of the upcoming comprehensive review of the mandated activities of the Assistance Mission and of United Nations support in Afghanistan, as mandated by the Council in resolution 1974 (2011); Welcomes the reports of the Secretary-General 1 and the recommendations 2. contained therein; 3. Pledges its continued support to the Government and people of Afghanistan, as they rebuild a stable, secure, economically self-sufficient State, free of terrorism and narcotics, and strengthen the foundations of a constitutional democracy, as a responsible member of the international community; Appreciates the renewed commitment by the Government of Afghanistan 4. to the Afghan people and the renewed commitment by the international community to Afghanistan expressed in the communiqués of the London 2 and Kabul 3 Conferences, reiterates in this regard its appreciation for the Afghanistan National Development Strategy, underlines the need for continued development and implementation, including costing plans, of the national priority programmes, and looks forward to the presentation of the remaining national priority programmes; Welcomes further efforts by the Government of Afghanistan to achieve 5. the Millennium Development Goals, and acknowledges, to that effect, the important work being done through the interministerial coordination mechanism and its role in _______________ 1 A/65/612-S/2010/630, A/65/783-S/2011/120, A/65/873-S/2011/381 and A/66/369-S/2011/590. See S/2010/65, annex II. 3 Available from www.unama.unmissions.org. 2 3