Extraordinary G20 on Afghanistan, 'promises betrayed by the Taliban'

The Taliban have betrayed the "promises" on women's rights.

On the eve of the extraordinary G20 videoconference on Afghanistan chaired by Italy - in which most countries will participate at the level of heads of state and government, while China will be represented by Foreign Minister Wang Yi -, the secretary general of UN Antonio Guteress points the finger at the mullahs' government.

The extraordinary G20 kicks off today at 1pm. Today's summit, organized under the Italian Presidency of the G20 on the initiative of Prime Minister Mario Draghi,

bring

with the aim of affirming shared principles

, both in bilateral dialogue and in international fora.

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There will be three key themes: humanitarian support, the fight against terrorism and the guarantee of freedom of movement both inside and outside the borders of Afghanistan for all subjects, from local to foreign NGO operators.

Another issue at the center of the agenda will be "the condition of women", already defined by Draghi as "a priority".

The challenge will be to find the levers to push the mullahs to guarantee the rights of women, from full return to schools and workplaces to the recognition of their role in political life,

.

The summit, which anticipates the G20 in Rome in the presence of 30-31 October, will be extended to the Netherlands, Spain, Singapore and Qatar, as well as to various international organizations, including the United Nations, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, to seek the greatest possible involvement.

The EU will be represented by its political leaders, Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen.

Sources from Palazzo Chigi stress the opportunity to exploit the potential of the G20 for broad convergence on key issues. The ambition is to channel the action of members in support of UN activities, putting pressure on the Taliban to cut off relations with terrorist groups and redirect humanitarian assistance to protect the most vulnerable, including women and minors. A commitment to support, always together with the UN, the countries neighboring Afghanistan in welcoming refugees is also possible.

"I asked for more funds for cooperation in Afghanistan to help civilians. We must ensure that the state does not collapse, because if Afghanistan collapses into its state apparatus we will see uncontrolled migratory flows to neighboring countries, with the consequent destabilization - explained Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio -. We must find a mechanism to finance the state without giving money to the Taliban, to prevent it from having an economic meltdown ".