HERAT, Afghanistan – Bruno Lemarquis, the newly appointed Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan, met with Herat Governor Noor Ahmad Islam Jar during a visit to the western province to discuss the activities and future programs of United Nations agencies in Herat.
According to a statement from the Herat Provincial Governor’s Office, the meeting focused on the delivery of services, humanitarian assistance, and development initiatives implemented by UN agencies in the province.
Lemarquis said that, based on available assessments, Herat has made notable progress in several areas, including counter-narcotics efforts, economic development, climate change response, and the management of the large influx of returning migrants.
He also reaffirmed the United Nations’ commitment to coordinating its programs with the Afghan authorities to improve assistance and better address the needs of local communities across different sectors.
Governor Noor Ahmad Islam Jar, for his part, highlighted what he described as progress achieved in recent years, particularly in combating narcotics, collecting and rehabilitating people affected by drug addiction, fighting corruption, and addressing poverty. He said these challenges are among the long-term consequences of decades of conflict in Afghanistan and emphasized that the local administration remains committed to tackling them.
The governor also pointed to the launch of several major economic projects and said the Herat provincial administration is continuing its efforts to promote economic growth, support development, and improve public services.
The meeting concluded with both sides emphasizing the importance of continued coordination and cooperation between the Herat provincial administration and the United Nations in implementing programs that benefit the people of the province.
