MFA Strategic Lectures: Afghan-Australian Current & Future Relations

Kabul – The Institute of Strategic Studies of Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has invited Ambassador Wahidulla Waissi to adress to Diplomats and students of Diplomacy Institute about key areas of bilateral relationship between Afghanistan and Australia and areas of enhancement and future cooperation.

Ambassador Waissi spoke about history and current affairs of Australian-Afghanistan Relationship and discussed the areas of cooperation on security and military, economic development, cultural including sports and people to people contact. He highlighted the important outcomes since March 2017 and since the President of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, HE Mohammad Ashraf Ghani visited Australia on 4-5 April 2017.

In 2018-19, the Australian Government will provide an estimated $80.2 million in total Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Afghanistan, including an estimated $80.0 million in bilateral country program funding managed by DFAT.

On 8 May 2018, Foreign Minister Bishop announced a new approach to humanitarian funding for Afghanistan and Pakistan, meeting the Prime Minister’s 2016 UN Refugee Summit commitment to support refugees and internally displaced peoples and host communities. Protracted conflict and instability in the region has created one of the largest humanitarian crisis with over 15 million people in need of assistance in 2018.

Australia’s aid program in Afghanistan focuses on achieving three strategic objectives, as outlined below and detailed in the DFAT Afghanistan Aid Investment Plan 2015-18. 

Objective 1: Supporting the Afghan Government to maintain economic growth and institute more effective and accountable governance

Objective 2: Empowering women and girls by addressing barriers to their social, political and economic participation

Objective 3: Building resilience and supporting at-risk populations

A new Aid Investment Plan, under development at the time of the Australian Aid Budget Summary’s publication, will govern Australian aid in 2018-2020.  The new Aid Investment Plan will set out broad directions and principles for Australian aid, and cover major current commitments.