UN convenes Afghanistan humanitarian conference in Geneva

MEDIA ADVISORY

(Geneva, 10 September 2021): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called the international community to join him in Geneva, in person and virtually, on Monday 13 September to express solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and pledge tangible support to address their critical humanitarian needs.

Afghanistan's children, women and men have faced decades of conflict and deprivation. Recent developments have increased their vulnerability. A severe drought is ruining the upcoming harvest and hunger is rising. The economy is grinding to a halt with cash in short supply. Concern for the rights of women and girls is rising.

Afghans urgently need food, medicine, health services, safe water, sanitation, and protection. UN agencies and non-governmental partners have launched a Flash Appeal seeking US$606 million for the remainder of the year to bring vital relief to 11 million people.

International and Afghan humanitarian organizations are on the ground and can deliver in a rapidly changing context. They need fast and flexible funding and sustained access into and around Afghanistan. And all aid workers, including women, must be assured of their safety and freedom of movement.

Swift action and support from the international community is vital to ensure humanitarians can rapidly provide basic and essential services for the Afghan people. That is the objective of the High-level Ministerial Meeting on the Humanitarian Situation in Afghanistan.

Tentative programme

All times are Central European Time/Geneva

Venue: Room XIX, Palais des Nations, Geneva

Opening Session: 3 p.m.– 3:30 p.m.

  • Opening remarks by Secretary-General António Guterres

  • Remarks by Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths

  • Remarks by UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore

  • Remarks by WFP Executive Director David Beasley

  • Remarks by UNFPA Executive Director Natalia Kanem

  • Remarks by UNHCR High Commissioner Filippo Grandi

  • Remarks by ICRC President Peter Maurer

  • Moderator: Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications Melissa Fleming

Interventions from the floor: 3:30 p.m. – 4:55 p.m.

Closing remarks by Secretary-General António Guterres

Press Conference from approximately 5 p.m.

Venue: Room XVIII, Palais des Nations, Geneva

  • The press conference panel is led by Secretary-General António Guterres and moderated by USG Melissa Fleming

Media resources

  • The event and press conference will be webcast live on UN web tv
  • Photos from the event will be available on UNOG Flickr
  • Freely available stock photos from Afghanistan from OCHA
  • To comply with current health measures, access to the conference room will be limited and media representatives are invited to follow the event on UN web tv. For those in Geneva who are not permanently accredited to the UN Office, it is possible to request accreditation. For enquiries, please contact accreditation-media@un.org
  • For broadcasters: Live feed via EBU/Eurovision of both the conference and press conference. Broadcast media in Geneva can also take a direct feed from UNTV.

Media contacts

Zoe Paxton, OCHA New York, +1 917 297 1542, paxton@un.org

Jens Laerke, OCHA Geneva, +41 79 472 97 50, laerke@un.org

Vanessa Huguenin, OCHA Geneva, +41 79 202 68 44, huguenin@un.org