Ottawa- April 7, 2020

On World Health Day, we salute healthcare workers in Afghanistan, Canada and around the world who serve selflessly in the frontline of the global battle against COVID-19 and pay tribute to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our health and well-being during this challenging time. Let’s honor their service and sacrifice by following all public health and safety measures including social distancing and staying at home.

Kabul- April 5, 2020

During a ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mohammad Hanif Atmar was introduced as the Designate and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, today afternoon. The occasion was attended by the members of the National Assembly, high-ranking government officials, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and political leaders.

The ceremony began with the recitation of verses of the Holy Quran, following which Mohammad Haroon Chakhansuri, Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, congratulated  H.E. Atmar on his nomination for the post and wished him best of luck.
Subsequently, H.E. Atmar discussed his policy priorities for the Ministry, including improving the capacity of the Ministry in line with contemporary diplomatic standards, expanding, consolidating and strengthening Afghanistan's diplomatic relations with countries in the region and the world in order to create regional and international consensus to achieve peace, the upholding of the Republic's system, and a review of the country's foreign policy.

Recalling the services of the leadership, staff and diplomats of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the past years, Minister Atmar stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is committed to achieving the above priorities and make sure that post peace Afghanistan is not going back to the crisis and instability, and no effort will be spared in this regard.

The ceremony ended with a prayer for peace and stability in the country and the safety of the Afghan people facing the global health crisis caused by COVID-19

Ottawa- April 3, 2020

Ambassador Hassan Soroosh and Mr. David Hartman, Director General of the South Asia Bureau, Global Affairs Canada held a telemeeting on Friday, April 03, 2020. They discussed the ongoing COVID-19 response efforts in Canada and Afghanistan as well as the bilateral and multilateral cooperation in response to COVID-19.

Ms. Diane Harper, Executive Director of the South Asia Bureau and Mr. Sayed Mujtaba Ahmadi, Deputy Chief of Mission also attended the telemeeting.

The telemeeting was a follow-up to the teleconference on COVID-19 co-organized recently by the Global Affairs Canada and the Embassy of the Philippines in Ottawa to discuss Canada’s measures in response to COVID-19 as well as the relevant national and international efforts in the Asia-Pacific region.

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.