Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Statement of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the G20 Special Meeting on Afghanistan.

19 . : https://www.ottawa.mfa.af/book-appointments.html ... / ZOOM : [email protected] 613-563-4223 613-563-4265 . : https://www.ottawa.mfa.af/book-appointments.html ZOOM 613-563-4223 613-563-4265 [email protected] . Announcement Further to our previous announcement, this is to inform that due to new COVID-19 related restrictions, our in-person consular services are limited to very essential cases only and some consular services are provided via post. Appointments for very essential matters can be arranged via the following link: https://www.ottawa.mfa.af/book-appointments.html To coordinate consular services via post, book virtual interviews and meetings via Zoom or receive any additional information, please contact us by phone at 613-563-4223 / 613-563-4265, or email us at [email protected] . These arrangements will remain in place until the restrictions are eased by the Ottawa Public Health.

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The Afghan saffron is granted the Diamond Taste Award by the International Taste and Quality Institute being ranked best globally. Afghan saffron continues to be ranked first in the world for several years now. Many Afghan women are engaged in the cultivation, processing, packaging and marketing of saffron in Afghanistan and an increasing number of women-owned saffron production companies have been able to export their products to various regional and international markets. Afghan Saffron is also finding its way to the Canadian market.

Ambassador Hassan Soroosh and Ambassador Rodolfo Dia Robles of the Philippines held a virtual meeting yesterday. They discussed the COVID-19 situation, the potential for triangular cooperation between Afghanistan, the Philippines and Canada as well as future collaboration between the two missions.

I am glad that Afghanistan and Canada are standing alongside each other and working together to achieve our common goals. We cherish our shared values and remain committed to further expanding relations between our two countries. Excerpts from an unofficial translation of the letter by H.E. President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani issued in response to an earlier congratulatory message by H.E. the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada addressed to H.E. the President on the 101st anniversary of the restoration of Afghanistans independence.

As we celebrate the International Day of Democracy, we recognize the undeniable and irreversible progress made in building democratic institutions and institutionalizing democratic rights in Afghanistan. On this occasion, we honor the many sacrifices made by the people of Afghanistan and our international partners including Canada over the past 19 years to consolidate the democratic process and preserve our shared principles and values.

Ambassador Hassan Soroosh participated and spoke virtually yesterday at the Commemoration of the Martyrs Week organized by the Toronto-Based Afghan community in collaboration with the Embassy and the Consulate General of Afghanistan in Toronto.

Ambassador Hassan Soroosh had a phone conversation this afternoon with Mr. David Hartman, Director General of the South Asia Bureau at the Global Affairs Canada. The two sides discussed the Afghan peace process and the start of peace talks in Doha. They further discussed the key points of international consensus in support of the peace process including the need for a ceasefire, preservation of the gains of the past 19 years in Afghanistan including the Republic, democratic r...ights and national institutions as well as long-term partnership between Afghanistan and the international community. Ambassador Soroosh extended his gratitude for Canadas unwavering commitment and principled position in support of the peace process and long-term partnership with Afghanistan. Mr. Christopher Gibbins, Executive Director for Afghanistan at the Global Affairs Canada; Mr. Sayed Mujtaba Ahmadi, Deputy Chief of Mission; and Mr. Azim Wardak, Economic Counselor from the Embassy of Afghanistan also attended the phone conversation. See more

Ambassador Hassan Soroosh had a phone conversation this morning with H.E. Dr. Mahmoud Eboo, AKDN Diplomatic Representative to Canada and H.E. Ambassador Sheherazade Hirji, AKDN Diplomatic Representative to Afghanistan. They discussed the AKDNS ongoing engagement in various areas in Afghanistan including COVID-19 response efforts, education, womens empowerment, energy cooperation, tourism promotion and restoration of historical sites. They further discussed the peace process, the upcoming Geneva Conference on Afghanistan as well as future potential collaboration in line with the urgent needs and long-term priorities in Afghanistan. Mr. Azim Wardak, Economic Counselor of the Embassy also attended this phone conversation.

Ambassador Hassan Soroosh met virtually this afternoon with Mr. Steve Tipman, Executive Director of the Trade Facilitation Office (TFO) Canada. The two sides discussed the current bilateral trade and future potential collaboration in various areas including market access studies, trade-related information sharing and capacity building; womens entrepreneurship development as well as COVID-19 recovery and trade-related priorities. Mr. Azim Wardak, Economic Counselor; Mr. Hakim Nasiry, Commercial Attach and Mr. Zaki Munshi, TFO Program Director for Asia also participated in this virtual meeting.

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7 2020 8 2020 . - ( ) ... ( ) . ANNOUNCEMENT The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Consular Section in Ottawa will remain closed on Monday, September 07, 2020 on the occasion of Labour Day in Canada as well as on Tuesday, September 08, 2020 on the occasion of the anniversary of Martyrdom of National Hero of Afghanistan.

The Annual Grapes Festival was inaugurated today in Herat, Afghanistan. One of the attractions of this years festival is a beautifully decorated grape wall featuring the name of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. A beautiful reminder of our peoples desire and resolve to protect the republic and constitutional values. Herat has more than 100 varieties of grapes with great potential for export to regional and international markets.

A very warm welcome to Mr. Naseem Sharifi, our new Consul General in Toronto. We wish you the very best in this new position! Taking this opportunity, we also wish to thank Mr. Kaihan Ahadi, our former Consul General in Toronto and Mr. Salem Wahdat, our former Consul General in Vancouver for their commendable performance and excellent efforts during their time in Canada. We wish them every success in their future endeavours.

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Ambassador Hassan Soroosh had a virtual meeting this afternoon with H.E. Jacqueline ONeill, Canadas Ambassador for Women, Peace and Security. The two sides discussed bilateral cooperation in the area of womens rights and empowerment; women, peace and security agenda at both national and global levels as well as gender-related policy development, legislation and institution building in Afghanistan. Mr. Sayed Mujtaba Ahmadi, Deputy Chief of Mission and staff from Ambassador ONeills office were also present in the virtual meeting.

Read below, excerpts from the letter by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, the Governor General of Canada addressed to His Excellency Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on the occasion of 101st anniversary of the restoration of Afghanistans independence. On behalf of all Canadians, I would like to congratulate you and the people of Afghanistan on the occasion of your countrys independence day. This year, we recognize ...the exceptional challenges that Afghanistan is facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the continued conflict. Canada cherishes its strong relationship with Afghanistan. We remain firmly engaged with Afghanistan on issues that affect the lives of everyday people, including health and education, gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, as well as peace and security for all Afghan citizens. This celebration provides an opportunity to reflect on past accomplishments and on the future of your country, one in which the hard-fought gains over the past 19 years are preserved and the rights of all Afghans are protected. Canada remains steadfast in its support for a sustainable and inclusive peace in Afghanistan.

Ambassador Hassan Soroosh spoke today at a virtual program hosted by the Toronto-based Afghan Network for Social Services on the occasion of 101st anniversary of the restoration of Afghanistans independence. Other speakers included the Honorable Rob Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada as well as a number of Afghan scholars from Canada, United States, Europe and Australia. More details will follow.

The Embassy of Afghanistan in Ottawa hosted a virtual program with the Afghan-Canadian community this afternoon to celebrate the 101st anniversary of the restoration of Afghanistans independence. Ambassador Hassan Soroosh delivered the opening remarks followed by remarks by Mr. Nasim Sharifi, the newly appointed Consul General of Afghanistan in Toronto. A number of scholars, experts, entrepreneurs and civil society activists from the Afghan-Canadian community from across Ca...nada spoke about various aspects of bilateral cooperation, their ongoing programs as well as future joint activities with the embassy and consulates in Toronto and Vancouver. The program also included brief remarks and performance by the renowned Ustad Eltaf Hussain Sarahang. The program was moderated by Mr. Sayed Mujtaba Ahmadi, Deputy Chief of Mission. Other colleagues from the embassy and consulates in Toronto and Vancouver were also present in the program. Please visit our website for a more detailed report on the program at a later stage. See more

Ambassador Hassan Soroosh, along with the family and embassy staff, raised the national flag at the Ottawa city hall this morning, honoring the 101st anniversary of the restoration of Afghanistans independence.

Read the message by Ambassador Hassan Soroosh on the 101st Anniversary of the Restoration of Afghanistans Independence: Today, our fellow Afghans across the world including Afghan-Canadian community celebrate the 101st anniversary of the restoration of Afghanistans independence. On behalf of my family, embassy staff and myself, I extend my best wishes to all who celebrate this auspicious occasion. Our peoples love for independence and freedom and their resilience in the...Continue reading

The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Consular Section in Ottawa will remain closed on Tuesday, August 18, 2020, on the occasion of Afghan National Day. . - () .

As another inspiring example of Afghan womens courage and perseverance, three Afghan girls, as part of a 9-member team, climbed the highest mountain in Afghanistan and stood on top of Noshakh (7492m) holding the Afghan flag. Our sincere congratulations to the entire team and wish you all further success!

H.E. President Ashraf Ghani: Afghans and their international partners have paid the costs: Now were taking a risk for peace. https://www.washingtonpost.com//ashraf-ghani-afghans-thei/

Happy International Youth Day 2020! With around %65 of the population under 25 years of age, Afghanistan has one of the youngest populations in the world. Thanks to an enabling environment, a growing number of young leaders including as ministers, ambassadors, governors, mayors, MPs, journalists, civil society activists and entrepreneurs are making significant contributions to peace, democratic process and development in Afghanistan. Photo: Kabul, National Youth Symposium 2018

On August 11, 2020, Mr. Abdul Hakim Nasiry, our commercial attach, participated in a virtual B2B meeting organized by the Ministry of Industry and Commence (MoIC) of Afghanistan. Along with officials from MoIC and commercial attachs from the respective Afghan embassies, the meeting was joined by the Canadian, US, European, Turkish, and Afghan companies representatives. The meeting aimed to connect and establish business partnership between Afghan and foreign companies and introduce Afghan granite, marble, precious and semi-precious stones, saffron, dry, and fresh fruits and the relevant business opportunities.

On August 06, 2020, a Memorandum of Understanding on Establishing Educational Collaboration was virtually signed between the Afghanistan Medical Council (AMC) and the Royal College Canada International (RCI). Ambassador Hassan Soroosh; the Honorable Dr. Nasrin Oryakhil, AMC Director General and Dr. Andrew Padmos, RCI Chief Executive Officer delivered remarks stressing the importance of effective implementation of this MoU as an important step towards long-term partnership in... the area of medical education and academic exchange between the two countries. The importance of focusing on COVID-19-related priorities and urgent needs was also emphasized by the speakers. The MoU covers important areas of cooperation including raising specialty medical education and training standards and programs in Afghanistan; supporting system-level improvements to PGME; delivering courses and exchanging experience on health care systems and medical professional development. Other participants included Mr. Craig Ceppetelli, Executive Director, Office of International Collaboration; Dr. A. Karim Qayumi, Regional Director, RCI; Mr. Azim Wardak, Economic Counselor from the Embassy of Afghanistan in Ottawa; Dr. Mohammad Iqbal Aman, Deputy Technical Director at AMC; Ms. Tamara Wilson, Program Manager at RCI and Mr. Irshad Amin Salarzai from AMC. See more

! ! ! Happy Eid Al Adha! Joyeux Eid Al Adha!

30 31 3 2020 . - ... Civic Day . ANNOUNCEMENT The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Consular Section in Ottawa will remain closed on Thursday and Friday, July 30 and 31, 2020 on the occasion of Eid ul Adha as well as on Monday, August 03, 2020 on the occasion of Civic Day.

Ambassador Hassan Soroosh had a virtual meeting this morning with the Honorable Senator Salma Ataullahjan, Co-Chair of the Canada-Afghanistan Parliamentary Friendship Group. They discussed the current and future areas of bilateral cooperation; parliamentary linkages between Afghanistan and Canada; womens participation in the Afghan peace process; bilateral cooperation in response to COVID-19 pandemic as well as future joint activities. Mr. Sayed Mujtaba Ahmadi, Deputy Chief of Mission also attended the virtual meeting.

H.E. President Ashraf Ghanis Keynote Address at the 4th Senior Officials Meeting which was held today in Kabul

! ! Happy National Flag Day!

Ambassador Hassan Soroosh tele-met this afternoon with Mr. David Hartman, Director General of South Asia Bureau at Global Affairs Canada who will head virtually the Canadian delegation at tomorrows Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) in Kabul. The two sides discussed various aspects of bilateral cooperation; the COVID-19 response efforts; Afghan peace process as well as the self-reliance strategy and National Priority Programs (NPPs) of Afghanistan. They also exchanged updates on the upcoming international conference on Afghanistan to be held later on this year and the new Afghanistan Development Program. Ms. Diane Harper, Executive Director of the Afghanistan Division; Mr. Sayed Mujtaba Ahmadi, Deputy Chief of Mission and Mr. Azim Wardak, Economic Counselor from the Embassy also attended this virtual meeting.

Statement from International Coordination and Response Group for the victims of Flight PS752 on Iran delivering flight recorders http://ow.ly/XGT850ACA3x

Ambassador Hassan Soroosh participated this afternoon as a keynote speaker in a virtual gathering which was organized by the University Women Helping Afghan Women (UWHAW). The event was attended by members of UWHAW; former Canadian ambassadors and diplomats; scholars, as well as human rights advocates from Canada and Afghanistan. Ambassador Soroosh spoke about the overall efforts and achievements including in the areas of democratization and womens empowerment in Afghanista...n over the past 19 years; the ongoing COVID-19 response efforts; the vision and key principles for the peace process as well as key priorities and ongoing activities of the Embassy of Afghanistan in Ottawa. Ambassador Soroosh extended his gratitude for Canadas continued commitment and support to Afghanistan. He further expressed his appreciation for UWHAWs continued advocacy and collaboration in support of education and womens empowerment in Afghanistan. Ms. Shabana Kargar, Head of the Cultural and Social Affairs Section of the Embassy also attended the event. See more

The Government of Afghanistan, in the latest cabinet meeting earlier this week, committed to appointing female deputy governors in all 34 provinces of Afghanistan. Thanks to an enabling policy framework in Afghanistan, womens access to education, health, justice, economic opportunities as well as their political participation has improved significantly over the past 19 years. An increasing number of women hold key positions within the government including as ministers, ambassadors, governors, deputy governors and mayors. Photo: National Gathering Afghan Women for Peace (February 2019)

6 2020 9 5 . . ... (https://www.ottawa.mfa.af) 613 563 4223 222 . . . . (https://www.ottawa.mfa.af) - . . ANNOUNCEMENT The Consular Section of the Embassy of Afghanistan in Ottawa is resuming in-person consular services, in limited capacity, as of Monday, July 06, 2020. The working hours will be Monday through Friday from 0900 to 1700. For everyones safety and per the advice of the Public Health Agency of Canada, wearing a mask and maintaining physical distancing is strongly recommended while visiting the Embassy. Prior to visiting the Embassy, all clients must book an appointment via our website at https://www.ottawa.mfa.af or phone number 613 563 4223 ext 222.

Signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the Members of the International Coordination and Response Group to Support Families of the Victims of Flight PS7...52 ------------------------------------------ https://go.mfa.af/ps-752-1884 KABUL The Foreign Ministers of Afghanistan, Canada, United Kingdom, Ukraine and Sweden, as members of the International Coordination and Response Group, to support families of victims of Flight PS752, held a conference call for the downing of Ukrainian Flight PS752 and on the importance of state-to-state negotiations by signing a MoU on Cooperation regarding Negotiations on Reparations with the Islamic Republic of Iran. By signing this MoU, the ministers reiterated their call for an investigation into the the tragic plane crash, which resulted in the loss of 176 lives including Afghan nationals as well as for a fair compensation to the families of victims. ### PS752 ------------------------------------------- https://go.mfa.af/ps-752-1885 PS752 . PS752 176 . ### PS752 ----------------------------------------------------------------- https://go.mfa.af/ps-752-1886 PS752 . .

Happy #CanadaDay to Canadians across the globe. We thank the Government and people of Canada for their continued commitment to Afghanistan.

Message by Ambassador Hassan Soroosh on the occasion of Canada Day: On behalf of my family, staff, and myself, I wish all Canadians a very happy Canada Day. Afghanistan and Canada have decades-long partnership which is based on strong bonds of friendship and shared values including multilateralism, democracy, human rights, diversity and inclusion.... The people and government of Afghanistan remain grateful for Canadas continued support to important areas such as education, health, womens empowerment, security sector as well as to the ongoing COVID-19 response efforts in Afghanistan. It is our earnest conviction that the partnership between Afghanistan and Canada will grow stronger with the passage of time and with continued collaboration and reciprocal support at different levels.