Melbourne, 22 August 2018 - His Excellecny Ambassador Wahidullah Waissi addressed his keynote remarks on Afghanistan: the way forward to the scholars and practitioners gathered in Melbourne city. The event was organized by the Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) Victoria branch. 

Since the fall of the Taliban in 2001, Afghanistan has made strides in reversing the effects of international isolation and rebuilding its institutions, weakened after decades of external interference and ensuing violence.

The international community has provided political and economic assistance during this period, with the aim of helping Afghanistan to re-emerge as a self-sufficient and stable state.

In April 2017, Afghan President Mohammed Ashraf Ghani visited Australia, marking the first ever visit by an Afghan President. Australia reaffirmed its commitment by pledging to increase the level of security and economic cooperation with Afghanistan.

What does the future of Afghanistan look like? What are the main influences and who are the main actors shaping this future? What role will the Australia-Afghanistan relationship play in this process? were main areas of Ambassador Waissi's remarks at the AIIA Victoria on 22 August.

Gathered by more than 80 participants, the public speech event of Ambassador Waissi was warmly welcomed at the AIIA.