The United Nations Security Council has extended the mandate for a UN presence in Afghanistan, the world governing body said, in an effort to ensure security in upcoming elections and the projected stabilization of the country. The unanimous 15-member decision sees the extension of the UN mission in Afghanistan extended until March 23, 2010.

In a move which will see the continuation of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan’s (UNAMA) peacekeeping efforts in conjunction with UN secretary-general’s Special Representative, Kai Eide. The UN’s decision to renew the mandate has pleased Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, who feels that the UN effort is central to effective recovery, and cites the need for continued impartiality in the process.

The duties of the UNAMA effort include the administration of humanitarian aid, prevention of corruption in formative government, and upholding the rule of law. Afghanistan has also requested UN Security Council support in elections scheduled for August 20th of this year, according to a UN spokesperson, and the international body is more than willing to make “all efforts to be made to ensure the credibility, safety and security of the elections.” The upcoming elections will be the cornerstone of future Afghanistan self-governance.

The importance of the process will likely be reiterated in Moscow on March 27 and in The Hague on March 31, where meetings comprising many world leaders will discuss Afghanistan. Earlier this month, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton invited Iran to the proceedings, an invitation which officials in Tehran “will consider.” Secretary-General Ban plans to address the need for a unified global approach to the issues in Afghanistan at the meetings, and urge the international community to show solidarity.

Ban will be in attendance at the G20 summit in London on April 2nd this year, a conference set to discuss global issues.

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