WASHINGTON - The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) welcomed the recently held Bonn conference and the international community's commitment to work together toward a "transformation decade" for establishing peace in Afghanistan.

After a detailed discussion at the UN headquarters in New York, the 15-membered body welcomed the "strategic consensus" between Afghanistan and the international community on a renewed and sustained partnership for the Transformation Decade, which would entail firm mutual commitments.

In a statement read out by the UNSC President for the month of December, Ambassador Vitaly Churkin of Russia, the body noted that the transition process would involve the assumption of leadership by the Afghan government, while underlining the crucial role of the UN.

"The Security Council welcomes also the declaration in Bonn that the Process of Transition, to be completed by the end of 2014, should be followed by a Decade of Transformation (2015-2024) in which Afghanistan consolidates its sovereignty through strengthening a fully functioning, sustainable State in the service of its people," Churkin said, reading out from the statement.

"The Security Council welcomes furthermore, against this background, the strategic consensus between the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the international community on a renewed and enduring partnership for this Transformation Decade, which entails firm mutual commitments," he said.

Commending the outcome of the 'Istanbul Conference for Afghanistan: Security and Cooperation in the Heart of Asia' of 2 November, the Un Security Council also welcomed the Japanese intention to host a ministerial conference in Tokyo in July 2012.