3rd Vienna Conference for a Democratic Afghanistan

  • Dates: December 3rd to 5th, 2023

During extensive discussions, participants in the Vienna Conference for a Democratic Afghanistan reaffirmed their commitment to democracy, human rights, and national unity as the foundation for establishing a representative political system in Afghanistan. The conference, recognizing the ongoing illegitimate rule of the Taliban and the humanitarian crisis, called for substantial support from the United Nations and the international community to facilitate a political process addressing the nation's critical issues.

Key points of the declaration include urging the UN to take practical actions to promote freedom, peace, stability, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in Afghanistan. The declaration supports the Afghan people's right to self-determination and self-defense as outlined in the UN Charter, due to severe human rights violations. It also emphasizes the need for coordinated global efforts to combat terrorism and documents human rights abuses to ensure justice.

The Roadmap developed during the conference outlines a vision to end the oppressive rule of the Taliban and foster the participation of a broad spectrum of Afghan society, including women, men, ethnic groups, and political entities, in establishing a political system based on Islamic, civic, and democratic values. It aims to create a unified umbrella organization that represents the diverse political views and commitments across Afghanistan, ensuring a governance structure that derives its legitimacy from the will of the people, adheres to the rule of law, and promotes a culture of justice, non-discrimination, and inclusion for a policy in peace with themselves, their neighbors, and the international system. This Roadmap is considered a living document, continuously evolving to address emerging challenges and incorporate feedback from stakeholders to adapt to the changing landscape in Afghanistan.

Additionally, the conference highlighted the role of Islamic countries in countering the misinterpretation of Islam by the Taliban and stressed the importance of a systematic approach to revitalizing Afghanistan's international standing and enhancing relations among various regional and ethnic groups. Participants expressed gratitude to the Austrian Institute for International Affairs and other organizations for their ongoing support of the Vienna conferences.