Taliban Official Calls for Fair Climate Aid for Afghanistan

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the economic deputy of the Taliban’s prime minister’s office, said on Tuesday, 21 Mizan 1405, at a ceremony marking the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction that Afghanistan had faced heavy social and economic losses over the past year as a result of earthquakes, seasonal floods and droughts. According to him, these events have not only caused loss of life and property, but have also damaged national infrastructure.

Expressing sympathy with families who lost members in natural disasters, Baradar claimed that Afghanistan has had no role in greenhouse gas emissions or global climate damage, but has suffered from the consequences of the activities of major industrial and manufacturing countries. He said: “It is not consistent with the principles of global climate justice that we had no role in creating the problem, yet we bear its heavy consequences and pay the cost of damage caused by others.”

The economic deputy of the Taliban’s prime minister’s office called on the international community, the United Nations and climate-related institutions not to link efforts to combat climate change with political considerations. He stressed that Afghanistan should have fair access to global financial and technical assistance, and urged the international community to cooperate in providing modern meteorological equipment, early warning systems, advanced rescue tools and strengthened technical capacity.

Baradar also claimed that the Taliban administration has taken steps to build disaster-resistant buildings, construct retaining walls to control water, and protect and restore forests. He thanked the National Disaster Preparedness Administration, international relief organizations, as well as Afghan traders and investors, for helping affected families and providing shelter and essential supplies.