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Muttaqi promotes Afghanistan as ‘economic connectivity hub’ at regional forum
Acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has said that the time has come for Afghanistan to be turned into a center of economic connectivity in the region.
Zakir Jalali, head of Asian Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs quoted Muttaqi as saying, at the 3rd China Xizang Trans-Himalaya Forum for International Cooperation on Thursday, that the current direction of international politics is towards regionalism.
Muttaqi said that the Himalayan region has great potential in this area and this forum is an effective means for these discussions.
“Taking advantage of Afghanistan’s security and stability, the time has come to turn Afghanistan into a center of economic connectivity in the region instead of a battlefield,” said Muttaqi.
According to Muttaqi, Afghanistan’s government is interested in working on the Wakhan Corridor with China to connect the two countries.
“The government of Afghanistan is interested in working on the Wakhan Corridor with the agreement and cooperation of China, and the Himalayan mountain range is not a sign of separation between us and China, but an example of connection and connecting Afghanistan and China face to face,” Jalali quoted Muttaqi as saying.
Muttaqi told the forum that Afghanistan has also been affected by climate change.
“As a result of climate change, many animals have disappeared and human life has been severely affected, and up to 21 million of our people, who constitute half of the population, are facing a shortage of safe drinking water,” said Muttaqi.
He says that due to long years of instability and the lack of a responsible government, Afghanistan’s percentage of forests has decreased from 3 to 1.5%.
Muttaqi said that Afghanistan is fully committed to fighting climate change and to benefit from its resources.
“The adverse effects of climate change are not limited to specific regions. Most of the poor and backward countries are affected by the bad consequences of this change. On this basis, it is necessary to jointly fight climate change,” Muttaqi said.
Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi left Kabul for China on Tuesday to participate in the third Trans-Himalaya Forum for International Cooperation.
Deputy Minister of Economy Abdul Latif Nazari and a number of other officials of the Islamic Emirate are accompanying Muttaqi.
In the meeting, the countries surrounding the Himalayas will discuss economic cooperation, regional connectivity and ecological changes.
The Islamic Emirate delegation will also have bilateral meetings with the Foreign Minister of China and representatives of other countries on the sidelines of the forum.
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High-level Kyrgyz delegation arrives in Kabul
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce announced on Tuesday that a high-level delegation from Kyrgyzstan has arrived in Kabul.
According to the ministry’s statement, the purpose of the delegation’s visit is to expand economic cooperation and increase trade and investment between Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan.
The statement added that during the visit, the Kyrgyz delegation will meet with officials of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and participate in the Trade Communication Conference as well as bilateral meetings.
The delegation will also visit industrial facilities and various enterprises operating in Afghanistan.
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Russia calls for broad engagement with Afghan authorities
Russia has urged the international community to adopt a comprehensive and non-politicized approach toward Afghanistan, emphasizing dialogue, regional cooperation, and practical support to stabilize the country and prevent further security deterioration.
Speaking at a recent UN Security Council meeting, Russia’s Permanent Representative, Vassily Nebenzia, said that contrary to Western predictions following the withdrawal of foreign troops, Afghanistan did not collapse. He argued that despite ongoing sanctions, Afghan authorities are making efforts to address long-standing challenges and pursue regional cooperation aimed at building a self-reliant state, though he acknowledged the process would take time and require international support.
Nebenzia said Russia continues to back the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and supports initiatives such as the Doha Process, which promotes engagement with the Islamic Emirate and Afghanistan’s gradual reintegration into global affairs. He stressed that constructive dialogue with the Afghan authorities is essential and warned against what he described as pressure, ultimatums, or sanctions-driven approaches, saying these could harden positions and undermine UN efforts on the ground.
The Russian envoy said regional players, including members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), share the view that engagement is the only viable path forward.
He also called for progress on unfreezing Afghan assets and expanding development assistance, warning that failure to do so could lead to a further drawdown of the UN presence in the country.
On security, Nebenzia expressed concern about ongoing terrorist threats, particularly from Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), also known as Daesh, noting that the group continues to receive external funding and recruit foreign fighters, including individuals with combat experience from Syria and Iraq.
He also raised alarm over uncertainty surrounding weapons left behind by NATO forces and warned of the growing production of synthetic drugs, which he said is closely linked to terrorism.
Nebenzia said Russia supports dialogue between Afghanistan and Pakistan amid rising tensions linked to militant activity, urging both sides to expand cooperation, especially on counterterrorism.
He also highlighted the worsening socio-economic situation in Afghanistan and praised humanitarian agencies for continuing their work despite funding cuts. Russia, he said, remains engaged in providing assistance and expanding cooperation with Afghanistan in political, security, and economic fields.
The Russian envoy reiterated Moscow’s support for the rights of all Afghans and the formation of an inclusive government, calling for respect for fundamental freedoms, including access to education and employment, without discrimination.
Nebenzia concluded by urging the UN to engage with Afghanistan’s “real authorities” to help resolve the country’s challenges and support its reintegration into the international community.
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Afghanistan’s public health minister begins official visit to India
Afghanistan’s Minister of Public Health, Noor Jalal Jalali, has embarked on an official visit to India at the invitation of the Indian government, leading a delegation from the ministry.
In a statement, the Ministry of Public Health said the visit is aimed at strengthening health cooperation between the two countries, promoting the exchange of expertise, and coordinating joint health programs.
During the trip, Jalali is expected to hold meetings with Indian officials, particularly those from the health sector, and take part in a series of pre-arranged engagements.
Discussions will focus on capacity building for Afghan health workers, the import of standard medicines to Afghanistan, access to medical equipment, and other areas of cooperation.
The ministry said the visit is intended to open a new chapter in health collaboration between Afghanistan and India, with a focus on improving healthcare services and professional development.
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