OMM Redaksiyası
Afghanistan is developing new trade and transit links across Asia. Nevertheless, the country’s Taliban government will again be unable to occupy Afghanistan’s seat at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
The Taliban has controlled Afghanistan since August 2021. However, the mandate representing Afghanistan at the UN has not been handed to the government formed by the movement. Afghanistan continues to be represented at the organization by diplomats appointed by the previous government.
Taliban calls for recognition
Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi wants this situation to change. In May, he said that Afghanistan’s representation at the UN would strengthen the country’s ties with the international community.
“The representation of Afghanistan is the responsibility of the Afghan government and the legitimate right of the Afghan people,” Muttaqi said.
Economic cooperation without recognition
The diplomatic dispute comes as Afghanistan expands its economic ties with countries in the region. According to Muttaqi, trade with Central Asian countries amounted to approximately $2.7 billion in 2025. Kabul plans to increase this figure to $10 billion within three to four years.
New transport routes are also being established for the country. Trial shipments along the China-Afghanistan freight corridor began this year. In July, Afghanistan, Iran and Tajikistan agreed to launch a joint road transit route.
Russia became the first country to officially recognize the Taliban government in July 2025. Other states in the region have also increased diplomatic and economic ties with the Taliban without granting it legal recognition.
No change in Afghanistan’s position at the UN
The expansion of regional ties has not affected Afghanistan’s representation in New York. In August, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq, responding to a question about whether the Taliban government could take Afghanistan’s seat at the organization, said that recognition depended on decisions by states.
“Ultimately, governments make decisions on recognition. We are not a government,” Haq said. He added that there had been “no progress” among UN member states on the issue.
Thus, although Afghanistan is expanding trade, transit and diplomatic ties with its neighbors, the Taliban government in Kabul remains unable to represent the country at meetings of the UN General Assembly.
