Turkiye’s ambassador to Kabul and a senior UN official have visited the remote Wakhan Corridor in Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province, highlighting development projects and the challenges faced by local communities.

Between 18 and 20 August, Ambassador Cenk Ünal and Indrika Ratwatte, deputy head of the UN political mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), toured the mountainous region and shared photos of its striking landscapes.

Ünal wrote on X that he visited UN-backed projects, met local residents and heard their concerns. “We had warm reception and sincere welcome everywhere. Glad to meet with people who are still able to smile despite the tough conditions,” he said.

The United Nations said it has launched several development initiatives in the corridor, one of the country’s most isolated regions. Ratwatte stressed the importance of long-term investment, saying: “I witnessed the powerful impact of UN and partner efforts, moving beyond emergency aid to build resilient communities.”

Ünal added that ensuring development in Wakhan requires a collective effort so that “no one is left behind.”