G20 leaders will hold a virtual summit on Tuesday to discuss Afghanistan, with the Italy-hosted talks focused on the humanitarian and security situation following the takeover by the Taliban, IgbereTV reports.
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, whose country holds the rotating G20 presidency, has been pushing to widen the global discussion on Afghanistan to countries including Russia and China.
It was not clear if all the leaders of the G20 economic powers, which include the United States, EU, China, Turkey, Russia and Saudi Arabia among others, would join Tuesdayâs meeting.
But an Italian government official said it would be âmostly heads of state and governmentâ.
The summit will be held behind closed doors but Draghi will hold a press conference afterwards.
The hardline Islamist Taliban returned to power in August following the withdrawal of US troops after 20 years of war.
Afghanistanâs economy remains in a parlous state with international aid cut off, food prices rising and unemployment spiking.
Announcing the meeting last month, the Italian premier said it would address what he said was the risk of a âhumanitarian catastropheâ in Afghanistan.
