Afghanistan – Is Peace Unattainable?

This meeting is organised by Liberal International British Group, Lib Dems Overseas and the Paddy Ashdown Forum.

Date: Monday June 7th 2021, 18:30-20:00hrs UK Time, 22:00-23:30hrs Afghan time

It will be held over Zoom. Please Register Here:

The US is withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan after President Biden’s decision to pull out by 11 September 2021. Its departure means that British and other NATO contingents are also leaving the country. Yet fighting is intensifying with a rising death toll every day. Women and other civil society activists are also being assassinated. The “Great Game” with high stakes is back. Many regional players are also involved. The Taliban is gaining ground on the battlefield. Can 20 years of gains in building civil society, human rights and democracy, be saved? What chances are there now for the intra-Afghan talks to end the war and bring peace?

18.30-18.32hrs: Welcome

Adrian Hyyrylainen-Trett, Chair, Liberal International British Group

George Cunningham, Chair, Liberal Democrats Overseas

18.33-18.35hrs: Introductions by Moderator: Mr George Cunningham, former Deputy EU Ambassador to Afghanistan (2016-2018)

18.35-18.45hrs: Dr Abdullah Abdullah, Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation in the intra-Afghan peace talks with the Taliban, former Chief Executive Officer of the Unity Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (2014-2020)

Dr Abdullah Abdullah

18:45-19:05: The Views of the Afghan Civic Democrats*

Mr Kamin Gul Ahmad MP

• Afghan Civic Democrats Leader, member of Birlik (Unity) parliamentary group, member of the international relations parliamentary commission, youth peace ambassador for Central and South Asia.

Ms Bibi Gulali Mohamadi MP

• The youngest lawmaker in the Wolesi Jirga (Afghan Parliament), member women’s empowerment parliamentary commission, member international relations parliamentary commission.
• Mr Khalid Pashtoon, former MP, Senior Adviser to Dr Abdullah Abdullah.

19.05-19.15hrs: Mr Reuben Culpin, Head of UNAMA Office in Kandahar, Afghanistan. The UN’s role in Afghanistan.

Ruben Culpin

Rt. Hon Baroness Northover

19.15-19.25hrs Response by the Rt. Hon Baroness Northover, Liberal Democrats House of Lords Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs

19.25-19.55hrs: Questions and Answers

19.55-20.00hrs : Final Remarks and Thanks: Moderator

* Afghan Civic Democrats work in close association with UK Lib Dems Overseas.

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