Afghanistan holds a special place in my heart. Its people, its culture, and yes, its women and girls. I have travelled through Afghanistan, met the people, and heard their stories filled with courage, determination, and most of all — hope.

But today, Afghanistan is one of the worlds worst humanitarian crises. Nearly 23 million people need humanitarian aid right now. Each of those 23 million is a person — with a name, a family, and their own unique story.

We have a duty to support them and to make those stories heard.

The people of Afghanistan are in the eye of the storm, facing global funding cuts and a UN system under pressure like never before. This is hitting women and girls the hardest. Afghanistan is becoming an open-air prison.

In this darkness, our support is a ray of hope. We must never let Taliban repression become an excuse to walk away. On the contrary, it is exactly why we must stay and keep delivering.

The European Union is also deeply alarmed by the mass forced returns of Afghans from Pakistan and Iran. The speed and scale of these expulsions raise serious humanitarian and human rights concerns. Forced returns can have devastating consequences for those affected and risk further destabilising Afghanistan and the region.

We must use the political channels to keep insisting on any returns to be safe, voluntary, and dignified. This includes stepping up our support for those forced to leave everything behind.

We cannot allow the worlds attention to slip away from Afghanistan. The humanitarian and human rights situation is getting worse every day. This Senior Officials Meeting is crucial to keep the people of Afghanistan front and centre and to show that our commitment to the Afghan people is not just words — it is action, rooted in principles.

Lets not forget that regional and European security and stability are closely linked to the security and stability of Afghanistan. A stable Afghanistan is in everyones interest. An Afghanistan at peace with itself and its neighbours, respecting international obligations and the rights of its people.

The only way to achieve that is with a united, multilateral approach, working towards inclusive governance and through engagement with the Taliban.

The European Union is present in Afghanistan. We are committed to supporting the Afghan people in their hopes for a stable, secure, and inclusive society, where every citizen, no matter their gender, religion, or ethnicity enjoys equal rights and opportunities.

We are proud to maintain a diplomatic and humanitarian presence in Kabul to stand by the Afghan people, to engage on principles, and to help amplify Afghan voices, especially those of women and girls.

Political and humanitarian diplomacy must go hand in hand. We need diplomatic engagement with the Taliban de facto authorities, especially when they are systematically erasing the rights of half of their population. We continue to call on the Taliban to reverse any ban that strips women and girls of their basic rights. At the same time, this engagement is vital to delivering aid and securing access to those who need it most.

We also need to urgently reinforce funding. Humanitarian aid alone will not solve this crisis — it is just a band-aid. We need long-term, sustainable solutions, not just to help people survive, but to help them stand on their own two feet.

The best support we can offer is opportunity and empowerment, creating jobs and building social and climate resilience because stronger societies lead to greater stability. Stability is the foundation of security and prosperity.

Since the takeover of the Taliban in 2021, the European Union has mobilised over €1.7 billion in aid – about half in emergency humanitarian assistance, the other half in development assistance, through sustainable support to basic needs and livelihoods.

In todays unpredictable world, the EU remains a stable and reliable donor. As needs rise, donor support falls, and forced returns from Pakistan and Iran increase, we are stepping up. The EU is taking a comprehensive nexus approach, combining political engagement, humanitarian assistance, and support for basic needs and livelihoods.

This year, the EU will provide €161 million in humanitarian aid for the Afghanistan crisis, focused primarily inside the country, but also supporting Afghan refugees in Pakistan and Iran.

Our support goes beyond humanitarian aid.  We are preparing an additional €100 million in development assistance to help Afghans meet basic needs, rebuild their lives, and reintegrate returnees. This will focus on livelihoods, resilience, and economic recovery.

This total €261 million package brings together the EUs humanitarian, development, and political tools — a true nexus approach in action. We are paying special attention to women, girls, and the most vulnerable because no solution is sustainable unless it includes everyone.

All EU aid will continue to follow one guiding principle: by women, for women. That means every euro of our support will be designed, delivered, and monitored with Afghan women and with a special focus on women and girls as beneficiaries.

This evening, we will launch the Afghanistan Gender Index – a joint initiative by UN Women and the EU. It shows our unwavering commitment to Afghan women and girls. It will provide vital data on how Taliban policies are affecting their lives.

We are working on a number of real and practical initiatives to support women and girls, so they can participate fully in society because when women are economically empowered, political empowerment will follow.

The EU will continue to stand by those in need — with principles, purpose, and real support. But we cannot do it alone. It is time for other donors to step up and stand with the Afghan people in these critical times.

We cannot let tens of millions of vulnerable people slip deeper into crisis. Now is the moment for united action. The future of Afghanistan depends on sustained, coordinated action across humanitarian, development, and political spheres.

This Senior Officials Meeting is a testament to that. It is our chance to work together with a coordinated response. United in our responsibility to the Afghan people and united in our support for women and girls, who resist, endure, and continue to hope.

Today we are breathing life into our shared mission to walk with the Afghan people for as long as it takes. And to keep the flame of dignity, equality, and freedom burning bright.