Ottawa- March 26, 2020

Ambassador Hassan Soroosh and High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria of India held a telemeeting. The two sides discussed various aspects of bilateral meeting; the potential for triangular cooperation between Afghanistan, India and Canada as well as the ongoing efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 at various levels including under SAARC.

High Commissioner Bisaria offered his condolences on yesterday’s terrorist attack on a Gurudwara in Kabul which claimed the lives of many innocent people including women and children. Ambassador Soroosh thanked High Commissioner Bisaria for his sympathy and stated that the attack was a barbaric and cowardly attack against humanity at a time when people in Afghanistan and around the world collectively fight the spread of COVID-19. Ambassador Soroosh further stated that the Sikh community as a patriotic and peaceful community is making a huge contribution to the Afghan society and the government is committed to protecting the lives of all citizens in the country.

Happy Nowruz and New Year 1399 to all our fellow Afghans and to all those celebrating Nowruz across Afghanistan, Canada and around the world. Wish you all peace, health, happiness and prosperity in the New Year.

Photo: Afghan MoFA on a spring day.

Ottawa- March 17, 2020

Happy National Day of Journalists to all courageous Afghan journalists who are playing a crucial role in promoting and protecting democratic values in Afghanistan. We pay tribute to all those heroic journalists who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of freedom, democracy and justice in Afghanistan.

Photos from open online sources

Ottawa- March 11, 2020

Ambassador Soroosh spoke at the University of Ottawa in an event under the Ambassadors’ Series which was jointly organized by CIPS and GSPIA. Ambassador Soroosh spoke about the Afghan government’s vision and plan for peace and shared the Afghan perspective of the recent developments in the peace process. He further elaborated on long-term peacebuilding initiatives including those related to economic development and regional connectivity. The event also included a Q & A session.
Mr. Jeffrey Simpson, Senior Fellow at the University of Ottawa moderated the event and Dr. Nipa Banerjee, Senior Fellow delivered the closing remarks.

Ottawa- March 8, 2020

On this occasion in Afghanistan, we celebrate the inspiring accomplishments and contributions of courageous Afghan women as ministers, ambassadors, MPs, military and police officers, scientists, teachers, mayors, human rights activists, journalists, artists, athletes and entrepreneurs in achieving lasting peace and sustainable development in Afghanistan. We express our gratitude to Canada as a global champion of women’s rights for its continued support to women’s empowerment in Afghanistan.

Ottawa- February 6, 2020

Ambassador Soroosh met  with Ms. Lauryn Oates, Executive Director of the Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan (CW4WAfghan) at the Embassy of Afghanistan in Ottawa. The two sides discussed various aspects of women’s empowerment in Afghanistan particularly in the context of peace process. They further discussed CW4WAfghan’s ongoing activities as well as future joint activities in Canada.

Ms. Shabana Kargar, Head of the Cultural and Social Affairs Section of the Embassy also attended the meeting.

Ottawa- February 5, 2020

The TIME Magazine has recognized Queen Soraya Tarzi of Afghanistan as one of the 100 most influential women of the past century in the world. The Queen, “became one of the most powerful figures in the Middle East in the 1920s, and was known throughout the world for her progressive ideas.” 

Queen Soraya was wife of King Amanullah Khan, the architect of modern reforms in Afghanistan, who, among other important reforms, opened public schools for girls for the first time in the country. Queen Soraya was a great supporter of these reforms and her struggle encouraged a new generation of Afghan women to pursue education and career in public life.

Ottawa- February 4, 2020

Congratulations to Ms.Zarifa Ghafari for receiving the International Women of Courage Award for her bravery and leadership. As Mayor of Maidan Shahr, she has helped with so many positive changes in the lives of local people. We commend her outstanding accomplishments as a courageous woman who defied many barriers and negative perceptions about women’s role in Afghanistan.

Ottawa- March 2, 2020

On the second day of PDAC 2020, the Afghan delegation had a number of important engagements including a meeting with Mr. Paul Lefebvre, Parliamentary Secretary of Natural Resources Canada where they discussed bilateral cooperation in various areas of natural resources management. The delegation also met with officials from the Inter-Governmental Forum on Mining and the PDAC leadership as well as with a number of mining companies.
The delegation also participated at the Ministerial Summit organized by PDAC and the World Economic Forum as well as the Canada Day attended by the Right Honourable Prime Minister of Canada.