Afghan official says Durand Line crossings to remain closed until Islamabad accepts demands

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has proposed reducing 60 posts at the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) while allocating an additional $3.2 million to the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Afghanistan under the UN’s proposed 2027 programme budget.

Presenting the proposed budget to the General Assembly’s Fifth Committee, Guterres said the post reductions were part of broader adjustments to the UN’s special political missions and wider efforts to improve efficiency and align resources with the organization’s mandates.

The proposed budget includes a net reduction of seven posts across the relevant budget areas, following 116 post reductions, partly offset by the creation of 84 new posts and the conversion of 25 others. Of the proposed cuts, 60 posts are at UNAMA and 44 at the UN Integrated Office in Haiti.

Guterres also proposed an additional $3.2 million for the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Afghanistan, following its initial establishment phase in 2026.

He said the additional funding would support the mechanism’s operations through further staffing and non-staff resources.

The mechanism is intended to support investigations into serious international crimes committed in Afghanistan, in line with its mandate.

The proposed UN programme budget for 2027 amounts to $3.302 billion, excluding major construction projects in Nairobi and Geneva. Including those projects, the total rises to $3.408 billion, representing a reduction of about 1.2 percent, or $40.8 million, compared with the approved 2026 budget.

Guterres said the budget reflects the UN’s ongoing reform efforts to improve efficiency, strengthen accountability and ensure that resources are directed towards delivering its mandated programmes.

Farmers across Afghanistan are adopting innovative farming methods to conserve water, reduce post-harvest losses and increase household incomes, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) says.

Ahead of World Food Day 2026, observed under the theme “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow,” the FAO highlighted six initiatives helping communities address agricultural challenges, from water scarcity to food preservation.

In Kunduz, laser land-levelling technology is helping farmers improve irrigation and distribute water and fertilizer more evenly. Since 2025, the FAO has provided irrigation associations with shared access to the equipment and training, benefiting more than 23,000 farming families.

In Faryab, mushroom cultivation is creating income opportunities for women in water-scarce communities. One grower produces up to 40 kilograms a month, earning around 8,000 Afghanis from local sales. FAO-supported training and equipment are helping women expand production and access local markets.

In Paktia, farmers are combining fruit trees with alfalfa cultivation, providing livestock feed while orchards mature. The approach diversifies production, while soil and water conservation practices help protect farmland.

In Takhar, solar dryers are helping women preserve vegetables and fruit for winter consumption and sale. According to the FAO, households using the dryers reduced average post-harvest losses from about 26 percent to seven percent, while around one-quarter sold some of their dried produce.

In Bamyan, solar cookers are reducing reliance on firewood and shrubs, easing pressure on rangelands affected by drought and grazing. The initiative complements community efforts to restore vegetation and rehabilitate degraded land.

In Herat, naturally ventilated raisin-making houses are improving grape preservation and product quality. The FAO reports that drying time has fallen from around 30 days to 15 days, while post-harvest losses have dropped from 40–50 percent to 10–15 percent.

The organization has also supported storage facilities that preserve onions, apples and potatoes without powered refrigeration.

Abdul Karim Fateh, head of the Afghanistan Railway Authority, has travelled to Kazakhstan with a technical delegation to attend the 14th Ministerial Meeting on Transport of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) which will be held in Astana on Thursday.

According to the authority, Fateh is expected to outline the current state of Afghanistan’s railway network, ongoing infrastructure projects and future development plans during the meeting.

He will also hold talks with representatives of ECO member states on expanding trade and transit, strengthening regional transport links and enhancing economic cooperation.

The authority said Afghanistan’s participation in the meeting is expected to help promote joint railway projects, attract investment and strengthen connectivity between Afghanistan and other ECO member states.