While the Taliban have hailed the decision to host future working group sessions of the Doha Process in Kabul as a milestone for their domestic legitimacy, the United Nations has remained cautious.

In a significant step for international diplomacy in the region, Rosemary DiCarlo, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, arrived in Kabul over the weekend for high-level discussions with Taliban leadership. The visit, which began on Saturday, January 24, 2026, marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing “Doha Process,” aimed at navigating the complex relationship between the global community and the Taliban-led government.

According to statements released by the Taliban-run interior ministry following a meeting with Sirajuddin Haqqani on Sunday, the United Nations has agreed to hold the next session of specialized working groups within Afghanistan itself. This move represents a symbolic shift in the Doha framework, which has primarily operated outside the country’s borders.

Navigating the Third Phase of the Doha Process

The primary objective of DiCarlo’s visit is to follow up on the progress of the third phase of the UN-led Doha talks. This phase is designed to establish a more structured and “principled” engagement with the Taliban, focusing on practical outcomes rather than purely ideological debates.

During her meetings – which included consultations with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani – DiCarlo reportedly emphasized the UN’s commitment to ongoing humanitarian support. The discussions centred on the technicalities of the newly established working groups, which are intended to address specific sectors of concern for both the international community and the Afghan administration.

While the Taliban have hailed the decision to host future working group sessions in Kabul as a milestone for their domestic legitimacy, the United Nations has remained cautious. In official statements, a UN spokesperson described the mission as a “pragmatic” effort to advance the interests of the Afghan people, ensuring that the dialogue remains focused on tangible improvements in the daily lives of citizens.

Economic Stability and Counter-Narcotics Cooperation

A central theme of the weekend’s negotiations was the stabilization of Afghanistan’s fragile economy. Since the 2021 withdrawal of international forces, the country has grappled with frozen assets, banking restrictions, and a plummeting GDP.

According to the Taliban’s account of the meeting with Haqqani, the working groups will prioritize easing restrictions on the private sector and fostering economic growth. The Taliban leadership urged the UN to advocate for the removal of sanctions that they claim hinder the delivery of humanitarian aid and private investment.

Furthermore, the talks addressed the issue of counter-narcotics. Following the Taliban’s ban on poppy cultivation, the international community has expressed a cautious willingness to support alternative livelihood programs for Afghan farmers. DiCarlo’s visit served as an opportunity to review the effectiveness of current measures and to discuss how the UN can coordinate international aid to support these transitions without directly funding the central administration.

Human Rights Dilemma and International Conditions

Despite the focus on economic and technical cooperation, the shadow of human rights – specifically the rights of women and girls – loomed large over the discussions. The Doha process has frequently come under fire from civil society activists and women’s rights groups, who argue that engaging with the Taliban without securing firm commitments on education and employment risks normalizing the current restrictions.

International donors and several Western governments have remained steadfast in their position: progress toward full diplomatic recognition or long-term development aid is strictly conditional. The reopening of secondary schools and universities for girls, as well as the restoration of women’s right to work, remain the primary benchmarks for the international community.

The Taliban, however, continue to describe these issues as “internal matters” rooted in their interpretation of religious and cultural values. During the meetings, DiCarlo reportedly reaffirmed that while the UN is committed to “principled engagement,” the international community’s concerns regarding human rights cannot be bypassed if the Doha process is to succeed in the long term.

Strengthening Humanitarian Delivery Amid Poverty

The visit comes at a critical time for the Afghan population. Recent reports from provinces like Helmand highlight a burgeoning malnutrition crisis, with families struggling to feed children amid widespread unemployment and rising fuel prices.

DiCarlo emphasized that the effectiveness of UN humanitarian assistance must be improved to ensure aid reaches the most vulnerable populations directly. The proposed working groups are expected to create mechanisms that streamline aid delivery while maintaining the independence of humanitarian organizations.

As DiCarlo concludes her visit, the focus shifts to the upcoming sessions in Kabul. If these working group meetings proceed as planned, they will be the first major technical talks under the Doha framework to take place on Afghan soil. While the venue change suggests a deepening of the dialogue, the success of the mission will ultimately be measured by whether “pragmatic engagement” can translate into a reprieve for the millions of Afghans living in poverty and a restoration of the fundamental rights of its female citizens.