Sydney - The Afghan community of New South Wales inaugrated a coordination Council for the Afghan communities and associations living in Sydney and other major cities of NSW. Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Mr. Wahidullah Waissi also participated and made a keynote address to the participants. 

The main purpose of the Council is to establish greater and unified source of contact for the Australian authorities, coordination of Afghan affairs in New South Wales, and easily handling of Afghan-Australian social and cultural affairs. Ambassador Waissi, while appreciating the initiative, whichhas been discussed since eight months, has defined this as a main point of reference and civic engagement among Afghans. Mr. Weissi promised that theembassy will facilitate its social and cultural activities through this newly established Council in future. 

Other eight speakers, who are heads of communities and representing them at the Council, also spoke and encouraged their unity under the umbrella of the Council for the good of soicial and cultural affairs.

Mr. Paul Lynch, a member of the New South Wales State Parliament, also made his remarks and welcomed this joint initiative.