Newsletter. January Latest News. Contents

Transcription

1 January 2015 Newsletter Contents -Latest News -Ambassador s Message Latest News Appointments for Ministerial Positions Making Progress Through Robust Democratic Processes At the Same Time As the Country Becomes Responsible for its Own Security -Embassy s Activities -Afghanistan s News Latest News 1 2 Ambassador s Message Embassy s Activities Afghanistan s News 4 5 Great progress has been made with the formation of the Government of National Unity s Cabinet with Their Excellencies Mr. Salahuddin Rabbani Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Eklil Hakimi Minister for Finance, Mr. Ferozuddin Feroz Minister for Public Health, Mr. Noor-ul-Haq Ulomi Minister for Interior, Mr. Sayed Hussain Alemi Balkhi Minister for Refugees and Repatriation, Mr. Daud Shah Saba Minister for the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, Mr. Nasir Durrani Minister for the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, Mr. Faiz Mohammad Osmani Minister of Hajj & Religious Affairs, as well as Mr. Rahmatullah Nabil as the Head of the National Directorate of Security all having received the vote of approval from the Lower House of the National Assembly. The formation of the Government s Cabinet has been a prolonged process. After His Excellency President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani announced the list of 25 Ministerial 1

2 nominations and candidates to lead the Central Bank and National Directorate of Security, which were made in cooperation with His Excellency Chief Executive Officer Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, the nominees then individually went before the democratically elected representatives of the people to present their agendas and gain the approval of Parliament. The Parliament then held a vote on the nominations. Consequently, very lively democratic and constitutionally based debates have been occurring amongst the Members of Parliament. Despite the drawn-out process of forming a new government having created difficulties for the country to move forward, the very fact that these difficulties are being resolved democratically, by representatives of the people, and based on the country s constitution, highlights the rapid maturity of Afghanistan s political system over the previous 1 years. While both the people and Government of Afghanistan have desired for a political outcome to quickly be achieved, it is well understood that this is one of the realities of the democratic process. H.E. President Ghani praised Parliament s approval of the eight Ministers and the Director of the NDS. Their Excellencies President Ghani and Dr. Abdullah will soon introduce new nominees for the positions which were rejected by Parliament and look forward with great anticipation to governing the country in the years ahead with a Cabinet which has been formed through robust democratic and constitutional processes. Importantly, January saw the country s national budget passed for the fiscal year of Afghanistan which begun on the 22nd of December Previously in December, Members of Parliament had voted and rejected the government s proposed budget saying that it was unbalanced and that certain spending was unjustifiable given the country s difficult fiscal situation. Therefore, in January the Ministry of Finance made adaptations to the budget according to the politicians prerequisites and then it was passed through a vote by the representatives of the people in the Lower House. As further evidence of Afghanistan s increasing self reliant development, on January the 1st, responsibility for the country s security was transferred from NATO to the ANSF. Consequently, Afghanistan has overcome two massive challenges. Firstly, for the first time in history, political power was transferred democratically. Secondly, Afghanistan is now taking responsibility for its own security. 2

3 Message from the Ambassador Dr. Sayed Mohammad Amin Fatimie My Dear Japanese Friends, The start of a new year brings a new hope for the future. Previous months have seen Afghanistan's democratically elected parliamentarians debating regarding some important issues including the country s national budget for the new fiscal year of Afghanistan and the formation of the Government s Cabinet. Delays in the formation of a new Cabinet have caused difficulties for the people of Afghanistan. However, Afghanistan s democracy is still young and in its infancy and, as has previously been the case in Europe and across the world, the process of democratic maturity can not be achieved within mere years but is a generational process. Afghanistan has made remarkable achievements in the previous thirteen years, in thanks in particular to honorable nations such as Japan, and I am sure that the next thirteen years will experience even greater steps forward in the areas of governance, gender equality, access to healthcare, education, political stability as well as in sustainable development. January has also been a grievous month and the people of Afghanistan have shared Japan s grief and horror at the tragedy surrounding the innocent Mr. Haruna Yukawa and Mr. Kenji Goto. Japan is famous the world over for contributing to peace and harmonious development and my Afghan brothers and sisters have been greatly shocked and experienced deep remorse for the pain and suffering that these terrorists have brought to the benevolent nation of Japan. I strongly condemn such acts of barbarism and continue to pray for Mr. Yukawa and Mr. Goto s families and friends in this time of immense sorrow and anguish and hope that Mr. Kenji will be released soon. My Dear Japanese Friends, there is so much suffering in this world and, although the noble nation of Japan is peaceful and benevolent, the realities of modernity and globalization have resulted in the scourges of the effects of global terrorism being inescapable. Morosely, January has clearly exposed this reality. Please be aware that the virtuous nation of Japan has no greater friend than Afghanistan and its people stand united with the honorable people of Japan in both times of jubilation and also in times of melancholy, now and forever. Embassy s Activities Dr. Fatimie & Ambassadress Meet With Their Imperial Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan January 01, 2015: Ambassador Dr. Fatimie and Ambassadress Fatimie had the great pleasure in attending the official reception held in celebration of the New Year at the Imperial Palace. It was a distinguished honor for H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie and the Ambassadress to exchange courtesies with Their Imperial Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan. Mutual best wishes were expressed for health and happiness during 2015.

4 Dr. Fatimie Welcomes H.E. Mr. Yamamoto January 22, 2015: Ambassador Dr. Fatimie had the honor of warmly welcoming the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, His Excellency Mr. Tadamichi Yamamoto, to the Embassy. The latest developments of Afghanistan s political progress and other issues of mutual interest were discussed. Embassy Welcomes Kudan Secondary School January 2, 2015: The Embassy had the pleasure of welcoming teacher Ms. Sasao and five students from Kudan Secondary School in Chiyoda Ward to the Embassy. The Public Affairs Officer held an educational presentation on Afghanistan in the Embassy s reception hall. The highlight of the visit was His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Fatimie s speech to Ms. Sasao and the students which highlighted the importance of the warm relations shared between Afghanistan and Japan and the future direction of the friendship towards one of mutual benefit. The Embassy Congratulates NPO ASCA January 0, 2015: The Embassy held a reception to recognize and express the people and Government of Afghanistan s sincere appreciation for the Association of Sahadat for Children in Afghanistan s service of distinction for the people of Afghanistan since the NPO s establishment in Ambassador Dr. Fatimie gave a speech of gratitude and praise and also presented ASCA s founder and Head Mrs. Mohabbat with an award of appreciation for her and ASCA s tireless efforts for the betterment of Afghan children and their communities. The Embassy was honored to have the highly accomplished former Chargé d'affaires and long time friend Dr. Mohabbat participate and lead many of the day s events. Interactions between the international civil society groups and Afghan civil society groups is a growing trend that is being fully supported the Afghan Government. Their Excellencies President Ghani and CEO Dr. Abdullah have met with civil society groups on numerous occasions and H.E. President Ghani has stated that a country cannot properly develop without the involvement of a strong and active civil society. 4

5 Afghan News Japan to Help Develop Afghan Football for 2022 World Cup The Afghanistan Football Federation has signed an agreement with the Football Federation of Japan to formally cooperate in order to develop Football in the country and to seriously contend for qualification in the 2022 World Cup. The Football Federation of Japan will help to develop football programs which will nurture young talent and will also work to establish football playing fields in cities across the country. Such cooperation between Afghanistan and Japan is based on the understanding of the important role sport plays in the physical and mental health of societies, particularly with young people. It is hoped that the promotion of football in the country will assist other existing elements in Afghanistan s peace and development processes. Dance Therapy Now Being Held in Mazar-i-Sharif Young Afghans are undergoing therapy in the form of dance in order to heal from psychological trauma. The program is run by the International Psychological Organization and focuses on helping Afghan youth through Sufi Islam dancing and local art and performances. Due to the success of the program, the youths have been holding shows for spectators which have provided further confidence and healing in their troubled lives. Despite Afghanistan having made remarkable improvements in socio-economic development over the previous thirteen years, new social problems have arisen due to the uprooting of individuals and families from their traditional homes and lively hoods due to urbanization and other rapid social changes. Women Reviving Afghanistan s Ancient Silk Industry Women in Afghanistan's Balkh, Faryab, Samangan and Jawzjan provinces are running silk production companies that are part of an ongoing process of reviving the country's long history of silk production. The Afghan silk industry currently employs some,000 women directly in every phase of production from raising the silkworms to the manufacturing of scarves, clothes, carpets and other products. Ms. Rabia Muradi who is the Head of the industry first started her own business through raising 2000 silkworms, which now number in the tens of thousands, and she now employs 0 other women. Local governments are supporting such enterprises and the country is aiming to develop into a regional leader in the silk industry in the coming years. 5