Kazakhstan's Special Representative Urges Engagement with Afghanistan to Prevent Instability

Yerkin Tokumov, Special Representative of Kazakhstan's President for Afghanistan, has called for continued international engagement with Afghanistan. In an article published in EuAlive, he argued that disengagement risks creating economic, humanitarian, and institutional vacuums that could fuel instability, terrorism, illegal migration, and drug trafficking.

Tokumov pointed to acute humanitarian needs, including nearly 29 million people requiring aid and 3.7 million children suffering from malnutrition. He also noted the economic pressure from the return of millions of migrants from Iran and Pakistan.

Despite these challenges and concerns over governance and women's rights, Tokumov stated that Afghanistan has avoided economic and political collapse over the past five years. Government revenues have grown, small and medium businesses have expanded, and industrial parks have been established. Trade, energy, and food supplies from Central Asian countries have increased.

Kazakhstan pursues pragmatic engagement with Afghanistan without formal recognition, in line with United Nations Security Council decisions. Tokumov said cooperation is essential to address shared regional concerns.