UNAMA was established on March 28, 2002 through United Nations Security Council resolution 1401. Its original mandate was aimed at supporting the process of rebuilding and national reconciliation outlined in the Bonn Agreement of December 2001. Today, Afghanistan has moved on from the Bonn Process and the Mission’s work has adapted accordingly. As of 23rd March 2006 UNAMA’s mandate, which is renewed annually, contains six main elements. These are: providing political and strategic advice for the peace process; providing good offices; assisting Afghanistan’s government towards implementation of the Afghanistan Compact; promoting human rights; providing technical assistance; and continuing to manage all UN humanitarian relief, recovery, reconstruction and development activities in coordination with the government.

Afghanistan was admitted as a member of the United Nations on 19th November 1946 and its relationship with the UN thus goes back some 60 years. Many of the major UN agencies work in Afghanistan with Afghan counterparts and with national and international NGO partners. All UN programmes recognize the lead role played by the Afghan Government.