Matiulhaq Khalis, Director General of the National Environmental Protection Agency, has left for Russia at the official invitation of the Russian Federation to participate in Nevsky International Ecological Congress.

According to a statement issued by the agency, the congress will be held on May 22 and 23 in the city of Saint Petersburg, Russia, with the participation of representatives from around 40 countries.

The purpose of this congress is to expand global dialogue on environmental issues and climate change, to develop joint solutions, strengthen cooperation strategies, and promote responsible action in order to establish a balance between human society, natural resources, and economic development.

Khalis will present information to participants regarding the environmental situation, climate challenges, and existing problems in Afghanistan.

He will also raise Afghanistan’s concerns and challenges related to prolonged drought, water scarcity, deforestation, degradation of natural resources, soil and air pollution, and threats posed by climate change, the statement read.

Acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum Hedayatullah Badri said at the opening ceremony of “Iran International Mineral Exhibition” in Tehran that Afghanistan currently has stability and that favorable opportunities for investment have been created in the country.

Badri added that the Islamic Emirate seeks to effectively utilize the experiences of neighboring countries in the extraction of Afghanistan’s mineral resources.

In addition to touring various sections of the exhibition and a lithium processing plant, he also extended an invitation to Iranian private sector companies to invest in Afghanistan.

He also held a meeting and discussion with Iran’s Minister of Industry, Mine, and Trade. A previous agreement between Tehran and Kabul regarding survey work, development, and laboratory procurement was the central focus of this meeting.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum of Afghanistan announced that two technical committees have now been formed to begin practical work on this agreement.

The Ministry of Economy also stated that Kabul is seeking to strengthen its economic and trade relations with Tehran, which would be mutually beneficial for both countries.

“Iranian investors are interested in investing in Afghanistan’s mining, transportation, energy, and infrastructure sectors, and the Islamic Emirate welcomes Iranian investors in Afghanistan,” said Abdul Latif Nazari, Deputy Minister of Economy.

Economic experts, however, consider Iran to be a valuable economic and trade partner for Afghanistan. They emphasize that expanding relations with Iran could benefit the economies and trade sectors of both Kabul and Tehran.

Pete Hegseth, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, has stated that the findings of the special task force investigating the “disastrous” withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan will be released soon.

Speaking to Fox News on Monday, he said those responsible for the manner of the withdrawal will definitely be held accountable.

In response to a question regarding the results of the investigation into the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, Hegseth said: “We are pursuing this issue seriously in our office. A statement regarding the progress of the special task force working on this matter will likely be released tomorrow or Wednesday.”

He added: “The investigation is ongoing, but this process takes time, as many issues need to be examined. Some of the information is classified and requires conducting interviews.”

He predicted that the investigation into how the American withdrawal from Afghanistan was handled may continue until next year.

Referring to the withdrawal from Afghanistan as well as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, Hegseth said: “What Joe Biden did to America’s credibility was disastrous.”

He asserted that with Donald Trump’s return, America’s strength and credibility have once again been restored.