Mr. President,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Every year our gathering in this prestigious hall is a manifestation of our faith in the fundamental
equality of nations, as well as the continued relevance of the United Nations as the key international
forum for achieving a safer, more secure and prosperous world. The General Assembly is a unique
opportunity to engage in sincere and result-oriented dialogue with a view to addressing the challenges
that confront us all.

As we speak today, the world is shaken by the depravity of fanatics who have committed acts of insult
against the faith of over 1.5 billion Muslims. We strongly condemn these offensive acts, whether it
involves the production of a film, the publication of cartoons, or indeed any other acts of insult and
provocation. Such acts can never be justified as freedom of speech or expression. Equally, they cannot
give reason for the genuine protests to be used to incite violence and chaos with terrible losses of
innocent lives.

It is a matter of grave concern that our world remains strewn by daily occurrence of violence, hatred,
and injustice. In particular, the menace of Islamophobia is a worrying phenomenon that threatens
peace and co-existence among cultures and civilizations. I call upon leaders in the West, both
politicians and the media, to confront Islamophobia in all its many forms and manifestations.

It is incumbent upon us all to advance the cause of dialogue and cooperation, to fight the forces of
division and hatred and to fulfill the promise of a better and brighter future for coming generations.
We must work to defeat the protagonists of the conflict of civilizations, and support the voices of
tolerance and understanding.

Mr. President,

My country Afghanistan is testament to the benefits of multi-lateral cooperation and international
solidarity. It was a little over a decade ago when many countries from across the world joined the
Afghan people in our struggle for peace and against the forces of extremism and terrorism.

At the time, Afghanistan was a country decimated in all regards. For decades, we had suffered unnoticed
from violence, deprivation, and from sinister foreign interference. Long before terrorism
struck the world as a common security threat, Afghans were the victims of the atrocity of terrorist
networks from different parts of the world that had made Afghanistan their haven.

Looking back to ten years ago, Afghanistan has transformed remarkably. Democracy has taken root;
health services are accessible to the majority of the population, in all corners of the country; millions
of students - boys and girls - are enrolled in primary and higher education.

Our achievements have not come about easily, and the true aspirations of the Afghan people for
peaceful, prosperous lives are yet to be realized. As the world’s fight against terrorism continues
unabated, the Afghan people continue to pay the biggest price any nation has paid - in both life and
treasure.

Terrorism is not rooted in the Afghan villages and towns - it never was. Its sources and its support
networks all exist beyond Afghanistan’s borders. Therefore, while the international community’s
security is being safeguarded from the threat of terrorism, the people of Afghanistan must no longer be
made to pay the price and endure the brunt of the war.

It is in deference to the immense sacrifices of the Afghan people, and the precious lives lost from the
international community, that the campaign against terrorism must be taken to the sources of terrorism
and must be result-oriented.

Mr. President,

Today in Afghanistan, we pursue the cause of peace and an end to violence as a matter of great
urgency. Peace being the utmost desire of the Afghan people, and convinced that military effort alone
is not an adequate strategy to bring security, we have initiated the peace and reconciliation process
which aims to bring all elements of the armed opposition to peaceful lives in the society.

Last year this month, my attendance at the UNGA was cut short by the tragic assassination of
Professor Burhanuddin Rabbani, the then Chairman of the High Peace Council. His life was taken by
a terrorist who posed as a peace emissary, and by doing so dealt our peace process a serious blow.
This year, however, I am proud that late Professor Rabbani’s son, Mr Salahuddin Rabbani, who has
stepped up to take the Chair of the HPC, is part of my delegation in New York.

As I have repeated often-times, my hand of peace and reconciliation remains extended not only to the
Taliban but also to all other armed opposition groups who wish to return to dignified, peaceful and
independent lives in their own homeland. What we ask of them in return is simple: an end to violence,
cutting ties with terrorist networks, preserving the valuable gains of the past decade, and respecting
our Constitution.

To help facilitate the peace process, I ask of the United Nations Security Council to extend its full
support to our efforts. In particular, I urge the 1988 Taliban’s Sanctions Committee to take more
active measures towards delisting of Taliban leaders as a step to facilitate direct negotiations.

In pursuing the path of peace, we remain hopeful for the critical role that our neighbor, the Islamic
Republic of Pakistan, has to play. Over the recent years, we have engaged our friends in Pakistan in a
close dialogue in support of the Afghan peace process. It is a dialogue that, we believe, is critical for
Pakistan’s own security, and the security of the wider region and beyond.

We are deeply committed to our brotherly relations with Pakistan, but are aware of the challenges that
may strain our efforts at building trust and confidence. Such incidents as the recent shelling of Afghan
villages risk undermining the efforts by both governments to work together in the interest of our
common security.

Mr President,

During the past two years, our national priority has been to have Afghanistan’s own security forces
assume full security responsibility. The Transition Process will be completed by mid 2013 and NATO
and ISAF forces withdrawn from the country by end of 2014.

Apart from advancing Transition and pursuing the peace process, the past year has been one of
significant progress for consolidating international commitment and partnership.

In Chicago last May, we received the long-term commitment by NATO and other countries for the
training, equipping and ensuring the sustainability of Afghanistan’s national security forces. In Tokyo
this past July, the international community reaffirmed strong commitment to Afghanistan’s social and
economic development during the Transformation Decade, for which we are grateful.

The "mutual accountability framework," adopted in Tokyo, sets in place a clear structure for a more
result oriented partnership and cooperation. We welcome the international community’s readiness to
align aid with our national priorities and channel assistance through the Afghan budget. On our part,
we reiterated our determination to improve governance and to collaborate with our international
partners to wipe out the cancer of corruption - whether it is in the Afghan government or the
international aid system.

Mr. President

We recognize that Afghanistan’s destiny is tied to the region that surrounds it - whether in face of our
common threats, such as terrorism, extremism, and narcotics, or the opportunities we must grasp to
grow and prosper. In this context, the Istanbul Process presents a new agenda for security, confidencebuilding
and cooperation across the region of which Afghanistan is the centre. We will spare no effort
to build strong and lasting relations with our neighbors -near and extended.

Mr President,

Turning to the international arena, Afghanistan views the situation in Syria with much concern. For
over a year now, the thousands of our Syrian brothers and sisters have lost their lives due to an
escalating cycle of violence. We welcome the appointment of the new Joint UN-Arab League Special
Envoy for Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi. We know from Mr. Brahimi’s well-respected role in Afghanistan,
that he brings with him vast experience and a unique ability to the task before him.

The continuing plight of the Palestinian people has been a deep source of distress for Afghanistan and
the rest of the international community. The people of Palestine have suffered immensely, for far too
long. We remain in full support of the realization of the fights of our brothers and sisters in Palestine,
including their right to an independent Palestinian State. The time has come for an end to the
occupation, and for realizing a just, comprehensive and peaceful solution to the conflict, based on the
relevant resolutions of the UN General Assembly and Security Council.

And finally, the UN reform remains an important agenda at the international level. Since its inception
in 1945, the UN has exercised a key role in promoting a safer and more secure world, improving the
lives of citizens worldwide, and safeguarding and promoting human fights. Nevertheless, in view of
our ever-changing world, we cannot negate the fact that this organization is in dire need of a
comprehensive reform, enabling it to better reflect the new challenges and realities of our time. The
reform of the UN Security Council is an issue long overdue. Achieving a reformed Council that is
more inclusive, representative and transparent must remain a priority; and we welcome the ongoing
progress within the framework of the inter-governmental negotiations (IGN).

Thank you.

Hamid Karzai