The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan became an observer to the Energy Charter in 2006. In December 2007, upon the country's completion of all the preparatory procedures, the Energy Charter Conference (the Charter's top governing and decision-making body) invited Afghanistan to accede to the Energy Charter Treaty.

Afghanistan participates in various Energy Charter activities, notably in the meetings of the Task Force on Regional Energy Cooperation in Central and Southern Asia. During the most recent meeting of the Task Force held in Tajikistan in July 2012, the Secretary General Dr. Rusnák spoke with Mr. Hisham Alimi, General Director of the Ministry of Energy of Afghanistan. Mr. Alimi confirmed to Dr. Rusnák the readiness of his country to pursue the ratification of the Energy Charter Treaty.