A two-day UN conference to discuss the situation in Afghanistan will begin on Sunday in the Qatari capital Doha.
Senior Taliban officials will join the talks for the first time. They include spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid.
UN Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo and officials in charge of Afghan issues from more than 20 nations, including European countries, the US and Japan, will participate in the full-fledged start of the UN-led dialogue between the Taliban and the international community.
Some participants are expected to comment on human rights issues as the Islamist group has tightened restrictions on female rights, such as not allowing girls to receive education beyond elementary school.
No country has recognized the Taliban interim government since it seized power, but neighboring China has been strengthening its relationship.
Beijing is believed to be eyeing the development of Afghanistan's natural resources.
Russia, which is also showing a flexible stance, is believed to be aiming to deepen cooperation on anti-terror measures, as the country faces an increasing threat from the Islamic State militant group.
In contrast, Western nations continue to criticize the Taliban on women's human rights.
The focus is on how the international community can engage with the Taliban despite the differences in the participating countries' stances.