United Nations Strategic Framework for Afghanistan (-)

Key Chapter Title List

1. Executive Summary
2. Progress Towards the 2030 Agenda
3. UN Support for the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals
4. UN Priorities, Outcomes, and Partnerships
5. UN Strategic Framework Implementation Plan
6. Updated Common Country Analysis and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan
7. Appendix I: UN Strategic Framework Results Matrix
8. Appendix II: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan
9. Appendix III: Consultation Summary

Document Introduction

This Strategic Framework is a key policy document developed by the UN Country Team for Afghanistan in response to the country's sharply deteriorating political, economic, and humanitarian crisis following the Taliban's seizure of power and establishment of a de facto authority in August 2021. The report clearly states that Afghanistan, after decades of conflict, is facing an unprecedented multi-dimensional crisis: the economy has contracted by approximately 30%, over 24.4 million people require humanitarian assistance, and more than 90% of the population lives below the poverty line. Particularly since August 2021, the situation regarding human rights, gender equality, and women's empowerment has severely deteriorated, governance structures lack inclusivity, and girls and women are systematically excluded from education, employment, and public life. The core argument of the framework is that humanitarian assistance alone cannot address the suffering of the Afghan people in a long-term and sustainable manner. It is essential to meet basic humanitarian needs while simultaneously supporting interventions that enhance resilience, sustain livelihoods, protect human rights, and strengthen social capital.

This report has a clear structure, outlining the UN's strategic response in a logically progressive manner. First, the document analyzes Afghanistan's severe regression in achieving the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, detailing the deterioration in governance, human rights, security, and the socio-economic context, with particular emphasis on the severe exclusion and vulnerability faced by women, girls, and other marginalized groups. Second, based on an updated Common Country Analysis and extensive consultations with various sectors of Afghan society (including women, community leaders, ethnic minorities, private sector representatives, and members of the de facto authorities), the report establishes three interconnected and mutually reinforcing strategic priorities that form the core of the UN's work over the next three years.

The core content of the report revolves around the three strategic priorities and their expected outcomes: First, "Sustained Essential Services," aiming to ensure equitable access for all people, including the most marginalized, to basic health, education, water, sanitation, social protection, and protection services that meet minimum quality standards. Second, "Economic Opportunities and Resilient Livelihoods," aiming to promote a more inclusive economic recovery, create decent work opportunities, strengthen food value chains, and improve natural resource management. Third, "Social Cohesion, Inclusion, Gender Equality, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law," aiming to foster social integration, advocate for inclusive governance, and protect and promote human rights, particularly women's rights. Furthermore, the framework sets two collective outcome goals: to work with partners to jointly reduce food insecurity and lower maternal and child mortality rates.

At the implementation level, this Strategic Framework details the governance architecture, management structure, resource allocation, and monitoring and evaluation system. Given the absence of a nationally-led development planning and aid coordination architecture, implementation will heavily rely on the Afghanistan Coordination Group and its subordinate strategic thematic working groups to promote coherence among international partners. Internally, the UN will ensure system-wide coordination and maximize impact through the establishment of outcome groups and the development of joint work plans. The framework also emphasizes the application of the triple nexus (humanitarian-development-peace) approach, aiming to address the root causes of humanitarian needs and enhance long-term resilience through cross-pillar collaboration.

Finally, this document is a cautious and pragmatic "offer of assistance." Its successful implementation largely depends on external conditions, particularly the policies and actions of the de facto authorities, the sustained support of international donors, and the UN's ability to maintain and expand necessary access and operational space. The report acknowledges that without changes to the restrictive policies on the rights of women and girls, the Afghan people will continue to face worsening hardship. Therefore, this framework serves both as a roadmap in an extremely complex and fragile environment and as a concrete manifestation of the UN's adherence to its principles and commitment to "leave no one behind."