Khalis urges Japanese support for Islamic Emirate’s participation at COP30

Matiul Haq Khalis, Director General of Afghanistan’s National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA), has urged Japan to help facilitate the participation of a representative from the Islamic Emirate at the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30).

Khalis made the request during a meeting on Thursday with Takayoshi Kuromiya, Japan’s ambassador to Afghanistan. The meeting was held on the eve of the envoy’s departure at the end of his mission.

According to an NEPA statement, Khalis also called for Afghan delegations to be invited to environmental meetings and conferences hosted in Japan.

The talks covered a range of topics, including environmental protection, climate change, water management, the green economy, and clean energy. Khalis appealed for Japan’s cooperation in restarting suspended environmental projects across the country.

Ambassador Kuromiya reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to working with Afghanistan on environmental issues and praised the Islamic Emirate’s efforts in ensuring security, promoting peace, curbing narcotics cultivation and trafficking, and fighting administrative corruption.

He also pledged to launch training programs to build the capacity of NEPA staff and strengthen Afghanistan’s technical expertise in environmental management.