SC/8495
14 September 2005

Security Council Extends International Security Force in Afghanistan until Mid-October 2006, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 1623 (2005)

NEW YORK, 13 September (UN Headquarters) -- The Security Council, recognizing the challenges facing Afghanistan regarding the security situation in parts of the country, decided to extend the authorization of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) for a 12-month period beyond 13 October 2005.

Unanimously adopting resolution 1623 (2005), the Council, acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, authorized the Member States participating in the ISAF to take all necessary measures to fulfil its mandate. 

Recognizing the need to strengthen ISAF, the Council called upon Member States to contribute personnel, equipment and other resources to the Force and to make contributions to the Trust Fund established pursuant to resolution 1386 (2001).

In implementing the Force's mandate, the Council also called upon the Force to continue to work in close consultation with Afghanistan's Government, the Secretary-General's Special Representative, as well as with the Operation Enduring Freedom Coalition.

Expressing its appreciation to Italy for taking over the lead from Turkey in commanding the Force and to those nations who contributed to Eurocorps, the Council recognized with gratitude the contributions of many nations to the Force. 

The meeting began at 10:15 a.m. and adjourned at 10:20 a.m.

Council Resolution

The complete text of resolution 1623 (2005) reads, as follows:

"The Security Council,

"Reaffirming its previous resolutions on Afghanistan, in particular its resolutions 1386 (2001) of 20 December 2001, 1413 (2002) of 23 May 2002, 1444 (2002) of 27 November 2002, 1510 (2003) of 13 October 2003 and 1563 (2004) of 17 September 2004,

"Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Afghanistan,

"Reaffirming also its resolutions 1368 (2001) of 12 September 2001 and 1373 (2001) of 28 September 2001 and reiterating its support for international efforts to root out terrorism in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations,

"Recognizing that the responsibility for providing security and law and order throughout the country resides with the Afghans themselves, and welcoming the cooperation of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan with the International Security Assistance Force,

"Recalling the importance of the Bonn Agreement and the Berlin Declaration, in particular annex 1 of the Bonn Agreement which, inter alia, provides for the progressive expansion of the International Security Assistance Force to other urban centres and other areas beyond Kabul,

"Stressing also the importance of extending central government authority to all parts of Afghanistan, of respect for democratic values, of full completion of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process, of the disbandment of illegal armed groups, of justice sector reform, of security sector reform including reconstitution of the Afghan National Army and Police, and of combating narcotics trade and production, and recognizing certain progress that has been made in these and other areas with the help of the international community,

"Recognizing the challenges facing Afghanistan with regard to the security situation in parts of the country,

"Welcoming in this context the commitment by NATO lead nations to establish further Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs),

"Further welcoming the role played by the International Security Assistance Force and the Operation Enduring Freedom Coalition in assisting in securing the conduct of national elections,

"Expressing its appreciation to Italy for taking over the lead from Turkey in commanding the International Security Assistance Force, and to those nations who contributed to Eurocorps, and recognizing with gratitude the contributions of many nations to the International Security Assistance Force,

"Taking note of the letter dated 1 September 2005 from Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the Secretary-General of the United Nations (S/2005/574, annex),

"Determining that the situation in Afghanistan still constitutes a threat to international peace and security,

"Determined to ensure the full implementation of the mandate of the International Security Assistance Force, in consultation with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,

"Acting for these reasons under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

"1. Decides to extend the authorization of the International Security Assistance Force, as defined in resolution 1386 (2001) and 1510 (2003), for a period of twelve months beyond 13 October 2005;

"2. Authorizes the Member States participating in the International Security Assistance Force to take all necessary measures to fulfil its mandate;

"3. Recognizes the need to strengthen the International Security Assistance Force, and in this regard calls upon Member States to contribute personnel, equipment and other resources to the International Security Assistance Force, and to make contributions to the Trust Fund established pursuant to resolution 1386 (2001);

"4. Calls upon the International Security Assistance Force to continue to work in close consultation with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, as well as with the Operation Enduring Freedom Coalition in the implementation of the Force mandate;

"5. Requests the leadership of the International Security Assistance Force to provide quarterly reports on implementation of its mandate to the Security Council through the Secretary-General;

"6. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter."

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