The Afghanistan Embassy

seminar and exhibition
Afghanistan, past and present

The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Norwegian Atlantic Committee on the 24^th of August hosted the seminar Afghanistan: Past and Present and opened a photo exhibition on Afghanistan and its cultural heritage. The exhibition can be viewed at the Norwegian Defense Museum until October 15^th.

Read more (8.25.2010)

Ambassador Bakhtari visits Finland
Ambassador Manizha Bakhti attented a Cultural event organized by the Tempere City of Finland. Where she attended a seminar about Afghanistan and inaugurated two exhibitions.
Read more (8.20.2010)

Afghan team plays Norway Cup
Faryab United football team for the second year in row participated in World's largest youth football tournament Norway Cup 2010 and seizes victories in many games.
Read more (8.12.2010)

Newsletter, July 2010
June edition of NYHETSBREV, the monthly newsletter from the Embassy of Afghanistan

Read more (7.28.2010)

Kabul, 20 July 2010
International Conference on Afghanistan
On July 20, 2010, the Government of Afghanistan is bringing together representatives of more than 70 partner countries, international and regional organizations and financial institutions to deliberate and endorse an Afghan Government-led plan for improved development, governance, and stability.
Read more (7.20.2010)

Norwegian Foreign Minister visits Afghanistan

The Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre is visiting the Norwegian troops in Afghanistan. He will also be attending the Kabul Conference on July 20th 2010. The Minister stresses the importance of the Kabul Conference and states that it is important because it will be yet another step towards the Afghans fully gaining ownership and taking charge of their own security and development.

New U.S. Strategy for Afghanistan
Afghanistan Welcomes the New U.S. Strategy
Barack Obama President of the United States of America announced on Tuesday evening in his speech to cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., that United States of America will send a further 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan, in addition to significantly increasing its civilian efforts. This announcement by President Obama was widely welcomed inside and outside the Afghanistan.
Read more (12.03.2009)

Afghan Elections
Hamid Karzai has been declared winner of Election by the Independent Elections Commission of Afghanistan
The Independent Elections Commission announcement comes after Dr. Abdullah Abdullah former Minister Foreign Affair, decided not to participate in the second round of elections.
Read more (11.03.2009)

Presidential Elections
Second Round of Presidential Elections in Afghanistan
Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan announced that the second round of Presidential elections will be held on 7 November 2009.
The first round of the second Presidential election in Afghanistan was held on 20 August 2009, has faced with claims of widespread fraud.
Part of the votes has been announced cancel by Election Complaints Commission after two months of review and, therefore, President Hamid Karzai’s vote based on primary results of the elections was 55%, reached to less than fifty percent.
Read more (10.29.2009)

Presidential Elections
Peaceful polling day
Despite threats of violence, the Presidential Elections in Afghanistan proceeded largely peacefully. UN and NATO characterize polling day as a success.

Read more (8.21.2009)

Raise money for Afghan skate school
Since its founding in 2007, Afghanistan’s first skateboarding school, Skateistan, has played an important role in giving underprivileged kids in Kabul a place to play and get an education. Now Nordic skateboarders and other volunteers raise money to build a skate park in Kabul.

Read more (8.18.2009)

Afghan team plays Norway Cup
18 boys from Faryab Province got an experience of a lifetime when the Norwegian Defence Minister invited them to the international youth football tournament Norway Cup. Norway Cup is one of the largest football tournaments in the world, gathering over 30 000 players from 45 countries.

Read more (7.30.2009)

Sweden increases support to Afghanistan
The Swedish Government recently announced its new long-term strategy for development assistance to Afghanistan. The strategy covers the period to 2013 and entails gradually increasing aid to Afghanistan to 500 million Swedish Kronor, about 47 million Euros.

Read more (7.15.2009)

Norwegian football star visits Afghanistan
There was no doubt in Erik Thorstvedt’s mind when he was invited by the Norwegian Armed Forces to go to Meymaneh and visit an Afghan boys’ football team during their preparations for the international football tournament for youth, Norway Cup.

Read more (7.15.2009)

Iceland hosts international peace conference
Afghanistan was one of the main areas of interest when over 200 people from around the world gathered in Iceland’s capitol, Reykjavik, to discuss how to ensure that women are included in formal as well as informal peace processes.

Read more (7.01.2009)

Ambassador Ludin leaves for new posting in Canada
After spending two years in Oslo, Ambassador Jawed Ludin was awarded a new posting. On June 2nd, he officially left his position as Afghanistan’s ambassador to the Nordic countries, to represent his country in Canada.

Read more (6.12.2009)

Afghan journalists visit Norway
As part of a program aiming to create better understanding between Afghanistan and Norway, the Embassy of Afghanistan and the Norwegian Atlantic Committee recently invited a group of journalists and their travel coordinator from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from Kabul to Oslo.

Read more (6.08.2009)

Afghan oil and gas adventure in making
– The development of a hydrocarbon industry in Afghanistan will contribute to stability in the country, says Ambassador Jawed Ludin.

Read more (4.24.2009)

Band-e Amir first Afghan National Park
In a celebration to mark the International Earth Day, the Afghan Environmental Agency gave the Band-e Amir region status as the country's first National Park. Below is a translation of the article that appeared on the website of the Afghan news agency Quqnoos.

Read more (4.23.2009)

Factory will boost Afghan carpet industry
The first-ever Afghan carpet scissoring and washing factory is established in the eastern Nangarhar province. It is believed that the factory will boost the Afghan carpet industry, the Afghan news agency Quqnoos reports. Below is a translation of the article on their website.

Read more (4.18.2009)

World Bank extends funds for Afghan projects
The World Bank will provide USD 6 millions to the Afghan government to boost development activities in the outskirts of the country. Below is a translation of the article that appeared on the website of the Afghan news agency Quqnoos.

Read more (4.14.2009)

Spanta speaks at conference in Hague
The Afghan Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta, was one of the speakers at an international conference on Afghanistan in Holland on April 3rd 2009. Below is a transcription of his speech at "International Conference on Afghanistan: A Comprehensive Strategy in a Regional Context" at the World Forum in The Hague.

Read more (4.03.2009)

Afghanistan welcomes new strategy from the US
Afghanistan welcomes the new strategy of the United States for the reconstruction of Afghanistan. Below is a translation of a press statement issued by the President's office.

Read more (3.30.2009)

Embassy hosts Nawroz celebration
On Friday March 20th, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan hosted a Nawroz celebration at Oslo Militære Samfund.

Read more (3.23.2009)

Unique new year festival in Mazar-e Sharif
Afghanistan recaptures its cultural position in the region, hosting international festival celebrating Nawrooz, new year, in Mazar-e Sharif. Read the translation of the article about the festival by the Afghan news agency Quqnoos below.

Read more (3.21.2009)

Afghan students receive computers
The Afghan Ministry of Education has distributed 500 laptops to school students in the Nangarhar province. It is a unique effort to modernize the Afghan educational system, the Afghan news agency Quqnoos comments. Below is a translation of the article on their website.

Read more (3.19.2009)

Millions of Afghans register to vote
The Independent Election Commission in Afghanistan (IECA) has announced that more than 4.5 million Afghans have registered to vote during the registration period. Below is a summary of the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's reports.

Read more (3.13.2009)

Finland sends more troops to Afghanistan
A large majority of the votes of the Finnish Parliament made sure Finland will send soldiers to enhance security at the elections in Afghanistan. Below is a transcript of the article published on Helsingin Sanomat's international edition website.

Read more (3.09.2009)

Afghan Government promises education to all
All Afghans will have access to education in the next eleven years, promises the Afghan Minister of Education, Ghulam Farooq Wardak according to the Afghan news agency Quqnoos. Below is a translation of their news article.

Read more (3.05.2009)

Education for girls: Key to Afghanistan's development
"If we want Afghanistan to be a prosperous country we should make sure Afghan women are fully engaged in the development process of the country," says Zarghona, 53, who has worked as a teacher for 35 years. Read the interview with the Afghan woman, published on the website of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA)on March 3rd, 2009.

Read more (3.03.2009)

Norwegian government supports Afghan elections with 70 million NOK
The Norwegian Government has decided to support the elections in Afghanistan with 70 million Norwegian kroner, approximately 12,1 million USD. The presidential elections in Afghanistan are taking place on August 20, and the Norwegian funding will be used to support the preparations and execution of the elections. Read a translation of the press release from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs below.

Read more (2.13.2009)

Karzai chairs anti-corruption meeting
The first regular meeting, chaired by President Karzai with key institutions to discuss and decide on specific anti-corruption measures, was held on January 14th, 2009. Read the press release from the Presidential Palace below.

Read more (1.14.2009)

Finland increases troop levels in Afghanistan
Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defense are prepared to increase the number of crisis management troops in Afghanistan considerably next year, official sources report to the Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat.

Read more (1.12.2009)

Ministry of Public Health receives 12.5 million USD from Norway
The Ministry of Public Health in Afghanistan receives 12.5 million USD from the Norwegian Government. The pilot Results Based Financing project in Afghanistan would offer non-governmental organizations a performance-based bonus for achieving improved coverage of essential MCH services. Read the press release from the Ministry of Public Health below.

Read more (1.10.2009)

Norwegian Foreign and Defense Ministers speak about Afghanistan
This week two conferences on Afghanistan were arranged in Oslo. Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre spoke at one conference, while Defense Minister Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen spoke at the other.

Read more (11.20.2008)

Kabul conference pledges support for sustainable return
The Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) pledge to strengthen efforts for returnees and displaced people within the Afghanistan National Development Strategy. Read their joint press statement below.

Read more (11.19.2008)

Afghan Ministry of Education rebuilds formal music education
The Ministry of Education in Afghanistan has initiated a project to rebuild formal music education. The project focuses on establishing a vocational school of music where talented Afghan orphans and other youngsters regardless of their gender and social circumstances will be trained in Afghan traditional, as well as Western classical music.

Read more (11.17.2008)

Sweden increases support for Afghanistan
The Swedish government announces an increase of of 200 million Swedish kronor per year in development aid to Afghanistan, as well as 110 more troops.

Read more (11.14.2008)

Afghan Director of Local Governance visits Norway and Sweden
The General Director of the Independent Directorate of Local Governance of Afghanistan, Mr. Ghulam Jelani Popla, is on a visit in Norway and Sweden to raise awareness about, and seek assistance for the public outreach strategy of the Afghan government.

Read more (11.07.2008)

Foreign Minister Spanta meets Swedish counterpart
Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, today met with his Swedish counterpart, Mr. Carl Bilt, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden. The Swedish Foreign Minister was on his first visit to Afghanistan to meet with H.E. President Karzai and Foreign Minister Spanta and visit the contingent of 400 Swedish forces stationed in Mazari-i-Sharif.

Read more (10.31.2008)

Ambassador Tanin given UN key assignment
The Afghan Ambassador to the UN, Dr. Zahir Tanin, has been appointed as the point man of the UN General Assembly for holding inter-governmental negotiations on reforms and expansion of the powerful Security Council. This is a major achievement for Afghanistan and recognition of the growing stature as an independent and sovereign country at the international level.

Read more (10.13.2008)

President Karzai announces reshuffle of Afghan cabinet
President Hamid Karzai announced the reshuffle of Afghan cabinet on 11 October and besides reiterating his resolution in fighting Taliban-led insurgents, pledged improved efforts in anti-drug and counter-corruption actions.

Read more (10.13.2008)

Norwegian Foreign Minister visits Afghanistan
The Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre recently visited Kabul for the first time since the January attack on the Serena Hotel in which a Norwegian journalist was among the victims.

Read more (10.10.2008)

Nordic ambassadors present credentials to President Karzai
President Hamid Karzai met with the newly appointed Norwegian and Swedish Ambassadors in Afghanistan.

Read more (9.25.2008)

President Karzai discusses Afghanistan with Ban ki-moon
The Afghan President, Hamid Karzai, discussed the current situation in Afghanistan with the UN Secretary General, Ban ki-Moon on the sidelines of the 63rd Session of the UN General Assembly, reports the Afghan news agency Pajhwok. Read the story below.

Read more (9.25.2008)

President Karzai meets President Bush
After a successful visit to the United Nations, President Hamid Karzai is scheduled to meet with several top leaders of the Congress and the US Government, including President George W Bush, reports the Afghan news agency Pajhwok. Read the story below.

Read more (9.25.2008)

Karzai meets Norwegian Prime Minister in New York
The Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg urges the world community to cooperate with the Afghan government.

Read more (9.24.2008)

President Karzai to address UN session
The President of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan leaves for New York to Participate in the 63rd Session of United Nations.

Read more (9.23.2008)

Afghanistan wins first Olympic medal
Fans had gathered to celebrate as Afghanistan's first ever Olympic medalists returned from Beijing.

Read more (8.29.2008)

Norway condemns terrorist attack in Kabul
Norway condemns the terrorist attack outside the Indian Embassy in Kabul, in which 40 innocent civilians were killed, and more than 100 people injured, says Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jonas Gahr Støre.

Read more (7.08.2008)

Karzai, Ban Ki-moon and Sarkozy sign declaration in support of Afghanistan
The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the international community met today in Paris to reaffirm their long-term partnership to serve the people of Afghanistan, their security, prosperity and human rights. Read the joint declaration of the International Conference in Support of Afghanistan issued under the authority of the three co-chairs, President Sarkozy, President Karzaï and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Read more (6.13.2008)

Ambassador Ludin represents Afghanistan at Iraq Compact review in Stockholm
H.E. Ambassador Jawed Ludin represented Afghanistan at the International Compact with Iraq (ICI) Annual Review conference on May 29th, 2008 in Stockholm.

Read more (5.30.2008)

Norway will spend 4 billion kroner on Afghanistan
The Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jonas Gahr Støre, proposes aid plan for Afghanistan. Over the next five years, the government will spend 4 billion kroner on civilian contributions in Afghanistan. Read a translation of the article in the Norwegian newspaper Dagsavisen below.

Read more (5.16.2008)

Afghanistan and USA sign joint declaration
Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta and U.S. Secretary of State, Condollezza Rice have signed a joint declaration reaffirming the mutual goals of Afghanistan and the U.S. The agreement was signed during Spanta's official visit to the U.S.

Read more (5.14.2008)

Assadullah Wafa awarded State Medal of Good Performance
President Karzai Awards State Medal of Good Performance to Assadullah Wafa.

Read more (5.03.2008)

Foreign Minister Spanta meets Javier Solana
“We stand firmly on the principles of good governance, rule of law, respecting to human rights, and fighting against terrorism and narcotics which were mentioned in the Afghanistan Compact.”, said Javier Solana, EU 1st High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy at a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, H.E. Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta today. Read the press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul below.

Read more (4.21.2008)

Afghan government recommends Dr. Sima Samar for UN post
The government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan recommends Dr. Sima Samar, the Chairperson of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, for the post of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Read the press release below.

Read more (4.10.2008)

Karzai runs for re-election
The President of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, hinted on Sunday that he plans to run for a second term, saying he has goals left to accomplish.

Read more (4.07.2008)

ISAF presents strategic vision declaration
The UN-mandated NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan presented its strategic vision declaration at the NATO Summit in Bucharest. Read the declaration below.

Read more (4.04.2008)

Karzai congratulates Eide on UN post in Afghanistan
In a meeting on Saturday, President Hamid Karzai welcomed Kai Eide to Afghanistan on his new post as the new UN Special Representative, and wished him success with his new job. Eide vowed to help improve the coordination between the Afghan government and international donors.

Read more (3.31.2008)

Ambassador Ludin hosts farewell luncheon in honor of Ambassador Eide
On Wednesday March 26th, Ambassador Jawed Ludin hosted a farewell luncheon in honor of Ambassador Kai Eide. Ambassador Eide has been appointed the new United Nations Special Representative to Afghanistan.

Read more (3.26.2008)

3 billion yen agreement signed between Afghanistan and Japan
An aid agreement worth 3 billion Japanese Yen has been signed by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Kingdom of Japan.

Read more (3.18.2008)

Anti-Corruption strategy presented to President Karzai
The Anti-corruption and Administration Reform Commission has presented a strategy to President Hamid Karzai to fight corruption and expedite the reform process within the government administration.

Read more (3.17.2008)

Canadian troops to stay in Afghanistan
Canada's parliament voted on Thursday to extend its 2,500-strong troop deployment in volatile southern Afghanistan to 2011, as long as NATO allies back them up.

Read more (3.14.2008)

UN peacekeeping chief calls for sharpened mandate for Afghan mission
The mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) must be sharpened, given the challenges the country has faced in the past year, was the conclusion of the UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan today. The world body’s top peacekeeping official referred among other factors to an insurgency more resilient than expectedand, and a booming drug industry.

Read more (3.13.2008)

Karzai attends islamic summit in Senegal
President Hamid Karzai left for Dakar, Senegal, this morning to attend the 11th Summit of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC).

Read more (3.13.2008)

Kai Eide nominated UN Special Representative in Afghanistan
Norwegian diplomat Kai Eide has been nominated to be the next UN Special Representative in Afghanistan.

Read more (3.09.2008)

Spanta holds press conference on visit to Nordic countries
Upon his return to Kabul, the Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta, held a press conference about the achievements and results of his week-long visit to Nordic countries.

Read more (3.06.2008)

Foreign Minister Spanta gives lecture at Royal Danish Defence College
During his visit to Denmark, H.E. Foreign Minister Dr Rangin Dadfar Spanta, was invited to give a lecture at the Royal Danish Defense College. Minister Spanta was received by Acting Commander for the Royal Danish Defence College, Colonel W Iversen. The lecture gathered some 100 Officers from the Royal Danish Defence College. Below is a transcript of Minister Spanta's lecture "Afghanistan Today: Progress and Challenges" that he gave on March 4th, 2008.

Read more (3.05.2008)

Spanta condemns re-printing of Mohammad cartoons
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, Dr Rangin Dadfar Spanta, who is currently on an official visit to Denmark, addressed a joint press conference with his Danish counterpart Foreign Minister Dr Per Stig Møller today. In the press conference Dr Spanta condemned the re-printing of the Prophet Mohammad caricatures in Danish newspapers.

Read more (3.03.2008)

Minister Spanta speaks at Finnish Institute of International Affairs
H.E. Foreign Minister Dr Rangin Dadfar was the keynote speaker at a seminar organized by the Finnish Institute of International Affairs on February 29th, 2008. The seminar "Stability and Statebuilding: Cooperation with the International Community" was held in the Finnish capital Helsinki. Below is a transcript of Minister Spanta’s speech called “Afghanistan: Stability and State building in Cooperation with the International Community” .

Read more (2.29.2008)

President Karzai Receives Elders from North and Northeastern Provinces
President Hamid Karzai met on Tuesday in the Palace with a number of elders, notables and MPs and heads of provincial councils from the north and northeastern provinces.

Read more (2.28.2008)

Foreign Minister Spanta speaks at Finnish Defence Minister Seminar
On his official trip to Finland, H.E. Foreign Minister Dr Rangeen Dadfar Spanta, delivered a speech at the Finnish Defence Minister Seminar. Below is a transcript of Minister Spanta's speech "Afghanistan Today: Progress and Challenges" at the Parliament House in Helsinki on February 28th, 2008.

Read more (2.28.2008)

Dr Spanta takes part in Roundtable with Nordic State Secretaries
During his official visit in Sweden, the Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, H.E. Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta took part in a roundtable discussion with the State Secretaries for Foreign Affairs and Defense from the five Nordic countries. Below is a transcript of Minister Spanta's statement from the meeting at the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Stockholm, Sweden on February 27th, 2008.

Read more (2.27.2008)

Dr Spanta speaks at Stockholm University
In the honor of H.E. Foreign Minister Dr Rangin Dadfar Spanta on his official visit to Sweden, the Swedish Afghan Committee and the Stockholm Association of International Affairs organized a seminar on Afghan foreign relations at Stockholm University on February 27th, 2008. The Minister’s speech was followed by a question and answer session. Over 300 students were present at the seminar.Read the transcript of the speech "The Challenge of Terrorism and the International Response" below.

Read more (2.27.2008)

Spanta and Støre sign joint statement
Afghan Minister for Foreign Affairs H.E. Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta and Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Jonas Gahr Støre, have signed a joint statement on cooperation between the two Foreign Ministries.

Read more (2.25.2008)

President Karzai addresses US-Islamic World Forum in Qatar
President Hamid Karzai held the keynote address at the US- Islamic World Forum in Qatar on 16 February 2008.

Read more (2.19.2008)

Foreign Minister of Afghanistan visits the Nordic countries
H.E. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, Dr Rangin Dadfar Spanta, will visit Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark in week 9 and 10.

Read more (2.19.2008)

Alliance speeds up preparations for Bucharest summit
NATO Defence Ministers focused their discussions in Vilnius on Afghanistan, and how the Alliance can make progress between now and the Bucharest summit in a number of areas important to defending security in the 21st century.

Read more (2.08.2008)

David Miliband and Condoleezza Rice visit Kabul
On an official visit to Afghanistan, United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Miliband and United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice held a joint press conference with the President of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai. Read the resume from the press conference held on February 8th, 2008 below.

Read more (2.08.2008)

Majority in Norway supports troops in Afghanistan
A new public opinion poll indicates that a solid majority of Norwegians support their troops' participation in the NATO-led military operations in Afghanistan.

Read more (2.07.2008)

Norway increases civilian efforts in Afghanistan
The Norwegian Government has decided to increase its funding for civilian efforts in Afghanistan to NOK 750 million in 2008. “This increase makes Norway one of the donors with the best balance between civilian and military contributions,” says Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

Read more (2.06.2008)

President Karzai prevented judicial murder
The President of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, probably prevented a judicial murder when he pardoned five men who were convicted for a bomb attack that killed one Finnish solider and injured three Norwegians in May this year, writes Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten. Read a translation of the article below.

Read more (12.12.2007)

Afghan Minister of Education praises Norwegian effort in Afghanistan
Norwegian soldiers are making sure that our children can go to school. Norway has led the international efforts in creating a better balance between civilian and military development in Afghanistan, said Afghan Minister of Education, Haneef Atmar, during a meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg today.

Read more (12.12.2007)

Prime Minister Stoltenberg writes about Norway's engagement in Afghanistan
In an article published in the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten, Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg writes about Norway's reasons for further engagement in Afghanistan. Read an unofficial translation of the article below.

Read more (11.22.2007)