"When it is the right moment to do so, I would obviously not refuse that possibility. Today is not the right moment to do so," Guterres told reporters after a meeting of special envoys on Afghanistan in Doha, Qatar.
Guterres noted that the recognition of the Taliban was not the subject of the discussion.
"The meeting was about developing a common international approach, not about recognition of de-facto Taliban authorities," he said.
The UN chief noted that all parties agreed on the need to develop a strategy of engagement, which would stabilize the situation in Afghanistan. Participants expressed serious concerns over the prospects of maintaining stability in the country, the secretary-general added.
The meeting in Doha was organized to "reach points of commonality on key issues, such as human rights, in particular women’s and girls' rights, inclusive governance, countering terrorism and drug trafficking," a UN statement said. "The meeting is intended to achieve a common understanding within the international community on how to engage with the Taliban on these issues."
Among the 25 participants in the meeting are the United States, Russia and China, but the Taliban was not invited, the statement said.
Last week, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution condemning the Taliban for banning Afghan women from working for international and national non-governmental organizations, including for the United Nations, and called for lifting the ban.