United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has emphasised the urgent need for both regional and international support for Afghanistan, highlighting the country`s ongoing humanitarian and development challenges.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Almaty, Guterres expressed gratitude to Kazakhstan for its cooperation with Afghanistan and underscored the role of the new centre in advancing sustainable development in the region.

"And nowhere is that cooperation more urgent than in our support to Afghanistan. The people of Afghanistan continue to face immense hardship - from entrenched poverty and mass displacement to earthquakes, climate shocks, and a fragile humanitarian landscape. They deserve peace, stability and a better future. And I am very grateful for the cooperation Kazakhstan has been developing in recent times," Guterres said.