By 25 Civil Society Representatives and Women Leaders from Afghanistan We, the undersigned civil society representatives and women leaders from Afghanistan, express our support for the candidacy of Lana Zaki Nusseibeh for Secretary-General of the United Nations.

At a time of growing conflict, geopolitical divisions, and declining trust in multilateral institutions, the selection of the next Secretary-General presents an opportunity to renew the UN’s commitment to peace mediation, human dignity, equality, and international cooperation.

For women and girls in Afghanistan, the prospect of a woman leading the United Nations carries particular importance. It would send a powerful message to the groups like the Taliban that women belong at the highest levels of leadership, diplomacy, and decision-making, inspiring a generation of girls in Afghanistan whose aspirations have been constrained by exclusion and restrictions.

As Muslim women, we affirm that women’s leadership is compatible with the principles of justice, dignity, consultation, knowledge, and responsibility within Islamic ethical traditions.

The prospect of a Muslim woman leading the United Nations would carry additional symbolic importance, challenging restrictive ideologies, including the Taliban’s, that seek to justify women’s exclusion in the name of Islam. It would affirm that Muslim women can lead, shape global affairs, and contribute to peace and humanity without compromising their faith or identity.

We believe the next Secretary-General must help restore the United Nations’ essential role as a credible convener of dialogue, mediator in conflicts, and champion of multilateral cooperation.

Sustainable peace requires more than ending violence; it demands inclusive political processes, respect for human rights, and the meaningful participation of women in peacebuilding and decision-making. Afghanistan’s experience underscores that women cannot be excluded from discussions about peace and their country’s future.

We hope Lana Zaki Nusseibeh’s candidacy will contribute to a renewed global commitment to women’s leadership, principled diplomacy, and a United Nations capable of addressing today’s complex challenges.

We call on the five permanent members of the Security Council and all UN Member States to uphold the principles of the UN Charter, strengthen multilateral cooperation, and support a United Nations that listens to excluded voices, advances peace through mediation, and translates its commitments into meaningful action.