New York – Russia, China, Iran, and Pakistan foreign ministers made a joint statement at the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly session, asking the Taliban to destroy terrorist groups, establish an inclusive government, and improve the conditions of women and minorities.

The fourth such quadrilateral meeting is an attempt by significant players in the region to define the future of Afghanistan and guarantee its stability to the advantage of the neighboring countries.

In the 11-point statement, issued on Thursday, the four countries once again stated that they stand by Afghanistan as an independent, peaceful, and undivided state.

Their shared vision is an Afghanistan free from the scourge of terrorism, internal conflict, and drug trafficking. The ministers also indicated a common willingness to increase regional economic collaboration, signaling a pragmatic attitude towards the development of Afghanistan.

A United Front Against the Terror Threat

A central and deeply concerning point in the joint statement was the presence of various terrorist groups operating within Afghanistan’s borders.

“Terrorist groups such as ISIL, Al-Qaida, the Eastern Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Jaish ul-Adl, Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and other similar groups in the region, including Majeed Brigade, pose a serious threat to regional and global security,” the statement says.

They cautioned that these groups still represent a severe and immediate danger to regional and international security.

With a direct appeal to the Taliban, the four countries called on them to take effective, verifiable action to counter this menace.

This involves a total eradication of any form of terrorist organization and a strong determination not to allow them to recruit, raise money, purchase arms, or collaborate with foreign militants.

Call for Inclusive Governance and Human Rights

Besides security, the joint statement provided a detailed plan for political and social development.

The ministers underlined the need to have an inclusive political system that truly represents the will of all Afghan people, all ethnic and religious groups.

The four countries also addressed the acute problem of human rights, particularly the fate of women and minorities. They demanded the unrestricted access of women and girls to education, occupation, communal life, justice, and rudimentary services.

The declaration clearly outlined the inclusive roles of women as being indispensable to the peace and prosperity of Afghanistan, as human rights were directly related to the success of the country.

Humanitarian Aid

On the humanitarian front, the ministers urged the international community to increase its emergency aid for the Afghan people, insisting that such assistance should be delivered free from political considerations.

They recognized and commended the efforts of the Afghan government to stem opium production, yet at the same time urged more decisive action against the production and distribution of synthetic drugs, which are increasingly threatening.

There was also a strong message to the international community, especially to the NATO member states, in the statement. It urged them to bear the responsibility of the impacts of their military occupation in Afghanistan, specifically by imposing unilateral sanctions, restoring the frozen assets of Afghanistan, and not embarking on an effort to restore foreign military bases in or near Afghanistan.

The foreign ministers endorsed all diplomatic efforts toward a political solution in Afghanistan, pledging to continue their consultations and support ongoing regional mechanisms, including the Moscow Format and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

In this context, they welcomed the recent joint meeting of the Special Representatives of China, Iran, Pakistan, and Russia on Afghanistan, held on 12 September 2025 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, to discuss the situation in Afghanistan, and encouraged the continuation of these quadrilateral consultations.