Asia Society honored the Afghan Girls Robotic Team, as 2018 Game Changer of the Year at the fifth annual Asia Game Changer Awards. In a dazzling ceremony held Tuesday night in lower Manhattan, the Asia Society awarded the Afghan Girls Robotics Team, a group of remarkable young women who overcame tremendous obstacles — and personal tragedy — to thrive in competitions around the world.
Asia Society recognized eight other individuals and groups on Tuesday: Wang Shi, the Chinese real estate developer and great advocate for environmental sustainability; Mira Rai, child soldier turned champion distance runner from Nepal; Munjed Al Muderis, a doctor who fled Iraq only to become a pioneering surgeon in Australia; the founders of Koolulam, a musical initiative buildings bridges through song in Israel; heroes who saved lives during Japan’s Fukushima nuclear disaster; the incomparably brave and determined White Helmets of Syria; and, in their first-ever appearance on American soil, survivors from this summer’s incredible rescue at Thailand’s Tham Luang caves.
Speaking on behalf of the Afghan girls, Roya Mahboob, founder of the Afghan Citadel software company, said: “We need to cast aside the misconceptions of the past and embrace the potential of Afghan girls and women to succeed.”
The International Olympic Committee has elected nine new members including 24-year-old Samira Asghari, an Afghanistan women’s national basketball team player.
Afghanistan was ineligible to compete at the 2000 Sydney Games because its National Olympic Committee did not follow the Olympic Charter, most notably the Taliban prohibiting female athletes.
By Athens 2004, when Afghanistan returned to the Olympics, it entered female athletes for the first time. It sent one female athlete to each of the last three Summer Olympics, compared to 12 total male athletes among 2008, 2012 and 2016. Asghari is Afghanistan’s first IOC member, according to Olympic historians.
Two more women among the IOC newcomers are Daina Gudzineviciute of Lithuania, a shooting gold medalist at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and former nurse Felicite Rwemarikaof Rwanda.
Six men elected by fellow IOC members are: Camilo Perez (Paraguay), Giovanni Malago(Italy), William Blick (Uganda), Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck (Bhutan), Morinari Watanabe (Japan), Andrew Parsons (Brazil).
Source: www.olympics.nbcsports.com/athlete/samira-asghari
Afghan and Australian Defence Ministers met in Kabul. Honorable Christopher Pyne, Minister for Defence of the Commonwealth of Australia called on HE Bahrami, Minister of Defence of Afghanistan in Kabul, on 27 September 2018.
Minister Bahrami expressed his gratitude to the presence of Australian soldiers in Afghanistan. Australia remains committed to a stable and secure Afghanistan and continues to support the NATO-led train, advise and assist mission called Resolute Support." Around 323 ADF members from the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Army, the Royal Australian Air Force and Defence civilians are deployed in Afghanistan as part of Operation HIGHROAD.
Both sides emphasized on enhancing security and defence cooperation.
Linking the Heart of Asia and the Indo-Pacific for greater economic cooperation
Report from the outcomes of the Mumbai Session
The concept of the Indo-Pacific and the Heart of Asia platform are interlinked even if this linkage is not apparent at first. The Indo-Pacific concept captures the growing geo-economic and strategic interactions among the many nations between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The Heart of Asia platform calls for regional cooperation by positioning Afghanistan at the center of South, Central and Western Asia. This platform recognizes that sustainable economic growth requires Afghanistan’s security and stability but also access and interconnectivity with regional economic marketplaces via sea, land, and air. Although Afghanistan is landlocked its strategic partner India, is not, which raises opportunities for Kabul to utilize New Delhi’s multidimensional interactions across the Indo-Pacific. It is in this context that the Indo-Pacific and the Heart of Asia should be seen together as what happens in one interaction influences the outcomes in others. Accordingly, Afghanistan’s economic development is poised to accelerate if it actively engages with economies in the Indo-Pacific besides those in the Heart of Asia. One way through which Afghanistan can plug itself into the Indo-Pacific is via the operationalization of the Afghanistan-Australia-India trilateral. Moreover, the institutionalization of this trilateral would support Afghanistan’s economic strategy.
India is a marketplace and a gateway for Afghanistan’s goods and services. From the standpoint of a marketplace, bilateral trade between them for the year 2016-17 totaled US$800 million. This trade relationship has immense potential to grow particularly as the benefits from the air corridor gain traction. India also offers Afghanistan a unique opportunity to be the strategic springboard for Afghan goods and services to reach deeper into the international market.
India can play the role of an enabler for the Afghan private sector. International businesses are more likely to engage Afghan enterprises if they are accessible to a third country like India where security is not an issue. India can also give Afghan entities the opportunity to link with other international markets which would diversify their economic activities. For instance, two-way goods and services trade between India and Australia totaled AU$19.4 billion in 2015-16. Canberra’s 2035 economic engagement strategy aims to increase this figure to AU$100 billion. Although bilateral trade between Afghanistan and India, and Australia and India, vary considerably in value, the significant feature to note is that the economic strategies of Kabul and Canberra intersect in New Delhi. This intersection is a potentially enabling factor for Afghan businesses and can translate to Australia becoming a significant purchaser of Afghan exports.
The strategic rationale for the Afghan government to insert itself into India’s domestic growth and international trade relationships is threefold: jobs, growth, and economic self-reliance. In addition, the dual nature of India as a destination of and a strategic springboard for Afghan goods and services has the potential to mitigate a range of limitations that stem from Afghanistan’s landlockedness. These include trade with India and other international markets, growing investments in domestic industries, the creation of jobs, and driving innovation. Furthermore, sustained economic engagement with India will contribute to Afghanistan’s long-term objective of economic self-reliance.
India’s strategic and economic partners will benefit from its growth and prosperity. There are three reasons why India matters to its international economic partners. First, India is the fastest growing major economy in the world which is currently valued at US$2.6 trillion. India is estimated to grow between 6-8 percent for the foreseeable future which will be transformative for the country, its region and economic partners. Second, India will overtake China as the world’s largest population before 2035. India’s scale and growth will require economic partners that can provide its citizens with what they want and need. Third, India offers its economic partners the prospect of diversifying their trade and investment risk in Asia.
India’s relationship with Australia is well placed to deliver a range of goods and services that it demands. These include education services, resources and energy, food, healthcare, and expertise in water and environmental management. The services sector is likely to be the fasted growing segment of Australia’s future economic relationship with India.
Deeper economic engagement between India and Australia also has the potential to benefit Afghan businesses. The three sectors that stand out where Afghanistan can gain from include education, mining, and agribusiness as discussed below.
First, the demand for education is increasing and is certain to keep growing as both Afghanistan and India have a young demographic. Indian students account for the second largest international student cohort studying in Australian universities. Following a similar trend, a large number of Afghan students are studying in Indian universities and more recently, schools too. As the demand for high-quality tertiary education taught in English continues, countries like Australia are likely to gain but so can others. From an educational services perspective, Afghan educational providers can work with Indian and Australian research and teaching institutions to deliver education in high demand areas in India, such as in ICT, business and finance, and the natural sciences. Australian education institutions and trainers can be drawn to India easily without the challenges presented to them of going to Afghanistan for knowledge delivery.
Second, resources are and will remain as a significant commodity in demand in India and Australia. As Afghanistan’s mining sector comes online, the mining industry could work with their Indian counterparts and re-exporters to jointly explore the market in Australia. One area for cooperation is in high-quality Afghan marble. This is an attractive area as the average incomes of Indian households increases, and as they look to build their dream homes with exotic materials. Similarly, high-quality Afghan marble can be marketed as a luxury material in Australia targeting residential and commercial projects.
Third, agribusiness with a focus on saffron and other culinary ingredients. Saffron is a low cost but high-value product. The price variation for saffron in the Indian vis-à-vis the Australian markets is striking, but this price difference also presents business opportunities for Afghan saffron growers and sellers. In India, high-quality Afghan saffron retails for US$2 per gram. By contrast, 1 gram of saffron in Australia retails for US$100. These price points suggest that India presents a volume-based market for saffron whereas Australia presents a luxury market where consumers are willing to pay significantly higher prices. Despite the market differences, Afghan saffron growers are well placed to benefit from the scale of India’s market, its proximity, and its growing middle class. Similarly, Afghan saffron can become the next truffle in Australian cuisine and in other developed economies that prize and pay large sums for exclusive products. Another marketing strategy could be targeted at the growing South Asian community in Australia that might be attracted to saffron as a product.
Besides these three sectors, other industries that present opportunities include textiles, carpets, and gemstones.
Afghanistan is translating its vision for regional cooperation via extensive economic engagement. For instance, at the recently concluded Second Passage2Prosperity Trade and Investment Show in Mumbai, Afghan businesses signed deals worth US$115 million for carpets with their Indian counterparts and secured loan guarantees in excess of US$200 million. Afghan and Indian businesses also signed more than 400 MoUs thus indicating a dynamic business relationship. In addition, Japan’s development agency, JICA committed to investing US$40 million in Afghanistan. This snapshot shows that Afghanistan is open for business and that extending its economic footprint across the Indo-Pacific has significant potential.
Looking to the future, the intersection of the Heart of Asia and the Indo-Pacific presents a sizeable opportunity for Afghanistan, but it will need to position itself to bank its position. The Indo-Pacific is the highest growth region in the world and Afghanistan’s partnering with India and other nations including Australia is a highly attractive way to strengthen economic engagement. A trilateral Afghanistan-Australia-India dialogue could be a template or carried out in parallel with other countries that present an addressable market for Afghan goods and services such as Indonesia. Another way to look at Afghanistan’s potential engagements in the Indo-Pacific is to see them as connecting the dots, meaning connecting Afghan businesses to an array of markets. Equally important is the development of a business plan which can translate, sustain, and monetize the relationship between Afghanistan and its partners.
Melbourne - The Afghan communities in Melbourne celebrated the 99th Anniversary of Afghanistan's Independance Day in Dandenanong City of Melbourne. Ambassador Wahiduallah Waissi, Member of Parliament Julian Hill, Dandenong City Mayor Cr Youhorn Chea, Afghan Community leaders, men and women participated in this gathering.
Ambassador Waissi in his speech praised Afghan youth from communities whom organized this gathering for their interest to Afghanistan and support to cultural affairs and committment on national values. He also spoke about past, present and future of relations between Australia and Afghanistan. The event included other speakers from community.
Speech of HE Mr Wahidullah Waissi, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to Australia and None-resident Ambassador to New Zealand and Fiji on the Occasion of 99th Anniversary of Afghanistan’s Independence, Willington, 04 September 2018:
In the Name of God, the most Compassionate, the most Merciful
KIA ORA!
His Excellency Mr. Jeff Langley, MFAT Deputy Secretary for Australia, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Mr Andrew Bayly, Member of Parliament for Hunua and Co-Chair of New Zealand Middle East and Africa Group, Dr. Duncan Webb, Member of Parliament for Christchurch Central and Co-Chair of New Zealand Middle East and Africa Group, Member for Hamilton West and Deputy Chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Committee, Hon Tim Macindoe MP, Brigadier Evan WILLIAMS representing the Chief of Defense Force, Air Marshal Kevin SHORT, Samoa High Commissioner, His Excellency Mr Leasi Papali'i Tommy SCANLAN, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Mrs Joyce SCANLAN, Members of the Diplomatic Community, Rear Admiral (Ret'd) Jack Raymond STEER ONZM and Mrs Steer, CEO of Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association. New Zealand Veterans, Members of the Afghan Communities, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:
It is my great honor to welcome you all to the 99th Anniversary of Afghanistan’s Independence here in this beautiful and windy (Beautifully Windy) city of Wellington.
Today is a special day. This is the first time that the Non-resident Embassy of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan celebrates Independence Day in New Zealand. It opens a new chapter, and strengthens the bilateral relationship between the two countries. I thank you all for joining us at this historic occasion.
Afghanistan and New Zealand enjoy a healthy and friendly relationship. The first interaction between the two countries dates back to 1989 when NewZealand agreed to send a team as part of the United Nations mine clearance training program to Afghanistan.
Nonetheless, the people to people linkages of the two nations can be traced even decades before 1980s. Despite being geographically separated by long distance, the hearts and minds of the two friendly nations are closer in having common aspirations towards peace, prosperity, freedom and democracy.
In post 9/11 era, since 2003, New Zealand’s genuine contribution in security sector reform, police trainings, strengthening the rule of law, promoting education, health, and agriculture and energy development in Afghanistan has been significant. In particular, New Zealand’s leadership of Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Bamyan Province was a greater success.
It is needless to stress that the long term international engagement in Afghanistan to which New Zealand has been a cooperative partner is critical to tackle the threats of international terrorism not only in Afghanistan but also in the region and at the global level. I praise those men and women of the world community including fellow New Zealanders who are standing with us with courage to assist, train and advice our brave National Defense and Security Forces.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Afghanistan’s independence in 1919 from British Empire was the outcome of our ancestor’s resistance under the leadership of King Amanullah, the young reformist and ever ambitious King, who set the foundations of a modern Afghanistan, including democracy, rule of law and gender equality. Todays’ event is also a commemoration of those values we nurtured for nearly a century.
Afghanistan did not give up in fighting against communism until its cruel empire collapsed. Today, my country is in the front line of fighting against international terrorism, and extremism. Our daily sacrifices ranges from 15 to 25.
We have paid a high price and still paying for the significant achievements gained in the past 17 years as a young democracy in ensuring access to education and health services, freedom of speech, freedom of media, human rights, women empowerment, rule of law, anti-corruption, youth development and much more.
The establishment of the National Unity Government (NUG) four years ago coincided with the commencement of "Transformation Decade." We managed to focus on economic development and self-reliance despite being occupied with security-related challenges.
Afghanistan witnessed an economic growth of 2.6% in 2017 and was able to maintain inflation rate at 3.7%. The export volume which reached a total value of $784 million has increased by 27.7% in 2017. Thanks to our regional integration and economic diplomacy, Afghanistan is no longer reliant on one destination for its merchandise trade and transit.
To preserve the aforementioned achievements, lasting peace is the top priority for the Afghan National Unity Government. In mid-June this year, for the first time after 17 years of violence, the people of Afghanistan witnessed the joyful moments of ceasefire during Eid-ul Fitr, our religious festive after the holy month of Ramadan. My government remains committed for peaceful settlement of the ongoing conflict in the country without any pre-condition except maintaining the gains of the past 17 years, respect for constitutional values, human rights, in particular women’s rights.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Through a consultative process with political parties and other stakeholders, my government is hardly working towards preparation for the parliamentary and district council elections to be held on 20thOctober this year and for the presidential elections scheduled to be held on 20thApril 2019. The Government is doing everything possible to ensure free and fair elections for all Afghan citizens who are eligible to cast their votes.
Distinguished participants,
My Government pays special attention to women empowerment and youth’s development both in public and private sectors. Afghanistan has the highest proportion of youth and young population in the region and it is necessary to consider the pivotal role of young generation in government programs, cultural activities and sports, inter aliacricket. We can observe a number of good players within the Afghan community in New Zealand as well.
It is worth it to sincerely thank New Zealand Government and People for hosting the Afghan community, diaspora and refugees.
Last but not least, with the aim to promote business to business ties between Afghanistan and New Zealand, I am pleased to announce and introduce to you, Mr. Mohammad Yasin Hotaki, a prominent New Zealand resident of Afghan origin, who has been appointed as an honorary consul of Afghan Embassy to New Zealand by the Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
Thank you Mr. Hotaki for accepting this responsibility. Please join me for a round of applause for his appointment.
I am fully confident, that the appointment of Mr. Hotaki, as the first Honorary Consul of I. R. of Afghanistan to New Zealand, will open a new chapter in the history of our bilateral relationship and engagements.
I conclude my address by thanking the organizers of the prestigious New Zealand Museum of Te Papa for the very good arrangements in making this event a success, the contributors and those community members travelled from all cornors of New Zealand to participate at this event.
Long live our friendship, Roa To Tatou Hoa!
Kabul - Afghanistan is expected to send its first cargo to Europe through Lapis Lazuli Route in the next five weeks. The transport and transit Lapis Lazuli Route begins in Aqina and Turghundi ports in the Afghan provinces of Faryab and Herat and crosses Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. It involves road, rail, and maritime transport. Two experimental shipments would leave Aqina and Turghundi ports for Europe. The execution plan for the Lapis Lazuli Route would be finalized with the concerned countries in the next two weeks. Two agreements would also be signed on visa and railway with the countries.
The Lapis Lazuli Route Agreement was signed on 12 November 2017 in Turkmenistan. Afghanistan expects to export products like saffron, carpet and medicinal plants to Europe through the route.
Abdul Qadir Bahman, CEO of Afghanistan International Chamber of Commerce, said that trade via Lapis Lazuli route is safer than through Pakistan and Iran. He said that transport cost would also be less.
Kabul - The Afghan Alumni community of Australian educational institutions met Ambassador Wahidullah Waissi in Kabul on 30 June 2018. They gathered from different cornors of Afghan institutions, having prominet roles and jobs inside Afghan Government or at non-governmental agencies. Dr. Sami, head of the Afghan alumni group welcomed Ambassador Waissi's initiative on meeting the alumni group together, introduced all participants and discussed group activities.
Ambassador Waissi shared Afghan Government efforts on bilateral relations on expansion of higher education cooperation. He stated that both countries are willing to cooperate on this matter. Ambassador Waissi discussed future bilateral collaboration with Australia and consulted expected outcomes and the process with the group.
The Afghan Alumni community of Australian institutions are having periodic meetings. Ambassador Waissi encouraged the group to stay in touch with the Embassy in Afghanistan and contribute to the programs or activities that are relevant to their areas of interest. Members shared their recommendation in support of Embassy activities.
Kabul - Afghan Ambassador, HE Wahidullah Waissi, met the USAID Delegation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul. The USAID plans to hold the second Annual Passage to Prosperity Business Conference in Mumbai from 12 to 15 September. The USAID is supporting this event financially and the aim is to advance trade integration by establishing economic and trade ties between Afghanistan and the international markets through business-to-business matching and consumer sales. USAID expects to have international and Afghan businesses, government officials, members of the media, and organizers attend the event. In parallel to the business component, USAID will conduct a series of panels on topics including civil aviation, mining, clean energy, and health and financial services investment opportunities.
Ambassador Waissi proposed inclusion of Australia and Far East countries into this event in order to diversify Afghan market outreach and extend exports to new locations. A three-way cooperation between Afghanistan, India and Australia would be benefecial for the purpose of this event and Afghan producers. The USAID delegation confirmed inclusion of Australia into agenda and extended their support.
Afghanistan is bringing its successful businesses to the world market so that others can benefit from the unique products, services, and business opportunities they offer in luxury goods, agriculture, energy, health and education, and mining and heavy industry. Being held September 12-15, 2018 in Mumbai, India, buyers, seller, and investors will have the opportunity to “do business first” with these select vendors.
Sydney - In the wake of the recent killings of 19 members of the Sikh and Hindu minorities in Jalalabad, the National Sikh Council of Australia held a prayer meeting in the presence of Afghanistan Ambassador H.E. Wahidullah Waissi at the Sikh Mission Centre in Sydney on Wednesday.
The Sikh community representative welcomed Ambassador Waissi and thanked him for his visit. Ambassador Waissi travelled from Canberra to Sydney and held a 90 minute-long meeting with Sikh representatives at Sikh Mission Centre, Austral -- a suburb of Sydney. Ambassador Waissi paid tribute to the Sikh community in his speech and shared his and Afghan Government's condolences to the representatives of the Sikh community. The gathering condemned targeting civilians, particularly, targeting minorities, which is against all principles of Islma and Sikhism.