The Heart of Asia Society, the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies, and the Center for International Cooperation at New York University, hosted the ninth virtual session of the Track 2 expert discussion series on the Afghan Peace Process entitled 'Building a Peaceful Afghanistan: Regional and International Support for Afghan Peace'. The discussion focused on the US peace proposals, reactions from Afghanistan and abroad, the 18th March Troika meeting in Moscow, and the planned United Nations-sponsored ministerial meeting on Afghanistan and proposed inter-Afghan summit in Turkey.
The session brought together individuals from international and civil society organizations, diplomats, scholars, and policy experts from several countries with a stake in Afghanistan. It featured a keynote speech by His Excellency, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation which was followed by an open discussion concerning ideas on regional support.
The aim of this discussion was to facilitate dialogue between the participants regarding the prospect of a transitional government, identification of an international consensus on Afghanistan, the possibility of an extension of U.S. forces in the region and the implications of this, the support that the conference in Turkey would offer the negotiations in Doha and how that may increase international competition for influence over mediation, how the international community can incentivise a reduction in violence, and finally, how the participation of women and youth could be ensured in the peace process.
This meeting was convened under the Chatham House rule, which encourages free exchange of views and discussions by prohibiting members from disclosing the owner of those views.
An action report of the discussion will not be published, but those interested can get in touch.