e cannot turn our back on the people of Afghanistan! The consequences would be felt, above all, by the millions of women and girls, human rights defenders and minorities who face an uncertain future. We have to remain engaged and we have to offer the urgently needed humanitarian aid.

ToensurethatsustainabledevelopmentinKiribati,isinclusive,transformative,anden-duresto“leavenoonebehind”,myGovernmentisworkingtirelesslytoreduceinequalitiesandmobilizetargetedsupporttomarginalizedcommunities.

And we are alarmed and saddened by recent developments in Afghanistan. In the past two decades, Afghans have seen a significant progress in the human rights situation. Health care systems have been improved and millions of children have received an education. These hard-won gainsmust be protected. We are now particularly concerned about the rights of women and girls, and peoplebelonging to religious, ethnic, sexual and gender minorities.