The Kabul Tribune (KT) — The Taliban’s National Environmental Protection Agency said its director general Matiul Haq Khalis called for increased international support to address climate-related threats facing Afghanistan’s mountainous regions.
According to a statement, Khalis made the remarks during a specialized conference titled “Mountains and Climate Change: From Vulnerability to Sustainable Development,” held on Thursday, April 23, in Astana.
Participants discussed the growing challenges posed by climate change in mountain areas, including increased vulnerability of local communities, water scarcity, and ecosystem degradation.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of mountains in providing vital resources and maintaining environmental balance.
The statement added that Afghanistan’s environmental situation and the need for greater international attention to its mountainous regions were key topics of discussion. Participants also emphasized strengthening technical cooperation and increasing investment to support climate adaptation efforts.
At the conclusion of the meeting, proposals were presented to international platforms calling for mountain regions to be prioritized in climate investment strategies.
Attendees also stressed the need to establish effective mechanisms for delivering direct technical assistance to these areas.
The conference was described as an important step toward raising global awareness about the protection of mountain ecosystems and strengthening sustainable development efforts in the face of climate change.
