In collaboration with CHS and the Center for International Cooperation, NYU, the Heart of Asia Society hosted the 11th session of its flagship Track II Dialogue Series on regional and international support for the Afghan Peace Process yesterday afternoon.
Members of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan's negotiating team at the Doha Intra-Afghan Negotiations, Ms. Fatima Gailani and Ms. Fawzia Koofi delivered the keynote address. Participants in the session condemned the recent intensification of violence in Afghanistan and the lack of commitment attributed to the established negotiation channel in Doha. Given the urgency of the situation, focusing on reaching a negotiated settlement expeditiously was underlined.
It was also highlighted by participants that regional players, the UN and the international community play a key role in supporting and accelerating the negotiation process, but that the absence of an agreement on an engagement mechanism is a key challenge impeding the progress of the peace process. Some participants noted this could be mediated by Qatar and the UN joining forces as impartial moderators of the negotiations.
From a regional dimension, the idea of having a regional power taking the lead role to define a set of common denominators on the regions' support for the peace process and future relationship with Afghanistan was discussed.