A/RES/69/18
The situation in Afghanistan
international community, to increase its efforts aimed at strengthening disaster risk
reduction at the national and subnational levels and at modernizing the agricultural
sector and strengthening its agricultural production, thereby reducing the
vulnerability of Afghanistan to adverse external conditions such as drought,
flooding and other natural disasters;
68. Expresses its appreciation to those Governments that continue to host
Afghan refugees, in particular Pakistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran,
acknowledging the huge burden they have so far shouldered in this regard, and asks
for continued generous support by the international community, with a view to
facilitating their voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return, rehabilitation and
reintegration;
69. Welcomes the outcome of the International Conference on the Solutions
Strategy for Afghan Refugees to Support Voluntary Repatriation, Sustainable
Reintegration and Assistance to Host Countries, held in Geneva on 2 and 3 May
2012, and looks forward to the further implementation of the joint communiqué of
the Conference, aimed at increased sustainability of returns and continued support
for host countries, through the sustained support and the directed efforts of the
international community;
70. Reiterates to host countries and the international community the
obligations under international refugee law with respect to the protection of
refugees, the principle of voluntary return and the right to seek asylum and to ensure
full, safe and unhindered access for humanitarian relief agencies in order to provide
protection and assistance to the refugees, and calls upon countries to continue to
accept an appropriate number of Afghan refugees for resettlement, as a
manifestation of their shared responsibility and solidarity;
71. Welcomes the continued return of Afghan refugees and internally
displaced persons, in a voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable manner, while
noting with concern that conditions in parts of Afghanistan are not yet conducive to
a safe and sustainable return to some places of origin;
72. Urges the Government of Afghanistan, acting with the support of the
international community, to continue to strengthen its efforts to create the conditions
for sustainable return by continuing to strengthen its absorption capacity for the full
rehabilitation and reintegration of the remaining Afghan refugees and internally
displaced persons;
73. Notes, in this regard, the continued constructive work between the
countries of the region, as well as the tripartite and quadripartite agreements
between the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the
Government of Afghanistan and the Governments of countries hosting refugees
from Afghanistan, in particular Pakistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran;
Regional cooperation
74. Stresses the crucial importance of advancing constructive regional
cooperation as an effective means to promote peace, security, stability and economic
and social development in Afghanistan, encourages further improved relations and
enhanced engagement between Afghanistan and its neighbours, and calls for further
efforts in this regard, including by regional organizations;
75. Commends the continuing efforts of the signatories to the Kabul
Declaration on Good-neighbourly Relations5 to implement their commitments under
the Declaration, calls upon all other States to respect and support the
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