UN Chief Condemns Taliban's Unacceptable Conditions for Attending High-Level Meeting

The Taliban set unacceptable conditions for attending a U.N.-sponsored meeting about Afghanistan, including the exclusion of Afghan civil society members and demands for treatment amounting to official recognition as the country’s legitimate rulers. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that the Taliban's absence did not damage the process but emphasized the importance of discussing the meeting's conclusions with them in the near future. The main points of contention include the bans on female education and employment, as well as the appointment of a U.N. special envoy, with Guterres stressing the need for clear consultations with the Taliban to address these issues.