What's behind Taliban's decision to attend UN conference in Qatar?
The attendance in and of itself signals progress and the possibility that the international community might find better ways to deal with the de facto rulers in Kabul.
![Taliban Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani (C) kisses the Taliban flag as he reviews the newly recruited Afghan security personnel during their graduation ceremony at the police academy in Kabul on October 5, 2023. (Photo by Wakil KOHSAR / AFP) (Photo by WAKIL KOHSAR/AFP via Getty Images)](jpg/gettyimages-1707709790756a.jpg)
Afghan Taliban officials will be attending the two-day United Nations conference on Afghanistan on June 30, after skipping two previous gatherings. The attendance itself signals progress and the possibility that the international community might find better ways to deal with the de facto rulers in Kabul.
The main aim of the third round of talks is to increase international engagement with Afghanistan in a more coherent, coordinated and structured manner, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.
Indicating Kabul’s approval, chief Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid told Afghan media that the Taliban government considered the agenda of the upcoming talks beneficial for Afghanistan, so there would be no preconditions this time.
“We will announce the composition of the delegation later, God willing. We believe this will serve the interest of Afghanistan,” Mujahid told Tolo News.
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