Brisbane - The Embassy of Islamic Republic of Afghanitan has launched the Australia-Afghanistan Dialogue platform in Brisbane on 27 November 2017. The Dialogue aims on developing new paradigm of relationship between Australia and Afghanistan, grounded in strategic discussions between the two countries, and strengthening existing ones, through people to people contact and collaboration. 

A delegation from Afghanistan, Australian Government, think tanks, academia, students, activists, Afghan-Australian Community, journalists and civil society and private sector representatives participated in this dialogue. 

From Afghanistan, former Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Assad Zamir, Head of ToloNews, Mr. Lotfullah Najafizada, and Head of the ArtLords, Mr. Omaid Sharifi was headed by the Afghan Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand, Mr. Wahidullah Waissi, represented Afghanistan. From Australia, Ms Krista Adams, Chair for Finance & Economic Development and Councillor for Holland Park, who had an opening speech on behalf of the Queenslad Government, Dr. Maximilian BrandleOAM, former Director for the Institute of Modern Languages, University of Queensland; and Mr. Pete Lewisis, the director of Brisbane-based consultancy Way With Words. The event was moderated by Dr. Lee Duffield, a prominent Journalist, Researcher and Research Associate, Pacific Media Centre, Auckland University of Technology, in New Zealand. 

Ambassador Waissi had the opening remarks. He called the Dialogue as an initiative for closer tie between two nations. He said "Such dialogue will be an important means for Australia and Afghanistan to identify areas of greater future cooperation not only on inter-governmental level, but also to foster people-to-people awareness and understanding between citizens."

Ambassador Waissi continued: The Australian Government has continuing engagement with Afghanistan in the areas of security and economic cooperation through bilateral, regional and multilateral dialogues.

Australia and Afghanistan share a friendly and long-standing relationship. Relations can be traced back to the 1860s when Afghan cameleers came to Australia. For half a century, the cameleers played a crucial role in the exploration and development of the Australian outback, ferrying supplies across the continent. The Ghan is named in their honour. 

The next wave of Afghan migration to Australia followed the Soviet Union’s occupation of Afghanistan when thousands fled their homeland. The Afghan-born Australian population is about 70,000. Afghanistan is one of Australia’s largest sources of permanent migrants.

The first diplomatic link between Australia and Afghanistan was established in March 1969, when a non-resident Australian Ambassador was accredited to Afghanistan. The first resident Australian Ambassador to Afghanistan was appointed in 2006.

Krista Adams, said: The dialogue acts as a platform for expanding the relationship and really important for us to identify all areas of cooperation whether it is inter-governmental or people to people. It is warming up in Brisbane and hope this expands to other cities. 

Agriculture is the backbone of the economy that engages 70% of Afghan population. Dry land is an area of cooperation between two countries said by Assadullah Zamir, Ex-Minister of Agriculture in his remarks at the Dialogue. 

"One of the great agriculture success stories in Australia has been our export and agricultural expertise, particularly dry land farming expertise. The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QUAAFI) is an interesting project to be applied in Afghanistan." Pete Lewis mentioned in his remarks. 

Lotfullah Najafizada, Head of ToloNews said: I am here today to thank you for what you have done as a country and being part of the global campaign, to make life better, to make mothers hopeful, and make their sons and daughters more ambitious for your future. You certainly made a difference. 

Dr. Maximilian Brandle OAM was talking about the culture of tolerance and acceptance in the era of globalization. He said "Our laws and ways of interacting with Afghanistan must be compatible with Islam. We need to learn to interact with more successfully with the 5% of Australia’s Islamic population. Afghans were the first Muslims came to Australia."

Omaid Sharifi, Co-Founder and President of ArtLords, was the last speaker of the event. "We use art as a tool for social change, change the perception of people and their attitude and help them do something for their own communities at the same time. That really encourages critical thinking among youth in Afghanistan." said by Omaid Sharifi. 

The Afghan delegation had their next stop in Sydney, where they plan to have a meeting with the AIIA Sydney Branch, participate at the War Memorial last post ceremony in Canberra and participate at the Asia Society annual conference in Melbourne, which is planned on 1 December 2017.

This dialogue aims to have its events in Kabul and Canberra on annual or periodic basis.