Afghanistan’s Ministry of Economy has announced that Minister Din Mohammad Hanif met with Taria Magnusson Waterdal, Secretary General of the Norwegian Committee for Afghanistan, and his accompanying delegation to discuss expanding joint cooperation, continuing humanitarian and development assistance, and the organization’s four-year strategy for Afghanistan.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Economy, the Secretary General of the Norwegian Committee presented details of the organization’s four-year strategic document for Afghanistan, saying the strategy focuses on three main areas: food security, natural resource management, and health and rehabilitation.

He added that capacity building and vocational training are also among the important components receiving attention under the strategy.

Waterdal further noted that communications is one of the key areas of the strategy, and the Norwegian Committee will work to reflect a real and positive image of Afghanistan to the international community through this sector.

Referring to the decline in international assistance, the Secretary General of the Norwegian Committee said that despite limited resources, the organization will continue supporting people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups and will work in coordination with the Ministry of Economy to improve people’s living conditions.

Meanwhile, Minister Din Mohammad Hanif thanked the Norwegian Committee for its activities and cooperation, emphasizing that coordination between the Ministry of Economy and domestic and international organizations is important for the effective implementation of humanitarian and development projects.

The Minister of Economy described the implementation of the Norwegian Committee’s four-year strategy as an effective step toward improving the livelihoods of Afghan people.

“We support programs that serve the national interests, economic growth, creation of sustainable opportunities, and the welfare of the people of Afghanistan, and as a facilitating institution, we will provide the necessary cooperation,” Hanif said.

At the end of the meeting, the Secretary General of the Norwegian Committee thanked the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan for its cooperation, coordination, and management, particularly in addressing the needs of migrants who have returned to the country in recent years.

He also reaffirmed the continuation of joint cooperation with the Ministry of Economy.

A high-level delegation from Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), led by Chief Executive Officer Abdul Haq Hamkar, held a key meeting with Omid Mohammad Aminov, First Deputy Minister of Energy of the Republic of Uzbekistan, along with senior officials from Uzbekistan’s technical and engineering institutions, to discuss expanding strategic cooperation in the energy sector.

The meeting was also attended by Abdul Ghafar Bahr, Afghanistan’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan, who emphasized the importance of further strengthening bilateral relations, enhancing mutual cooperation, and expanding joint efforts in the energy sector between the two countries.

During the meeting, both sides discussed the development of electricity generation, transmission, and distribution networks, strengthening technical capacities, cooperation in engineering and design, implementation of smart metering systems, long-term energy planning, and modernization of Afghanistan’s electricity sector.

The Uzbek side announced its full support for the development of Afghanistan’s energy sector, stating that reliable and sustainable electricity is essential for Afghanistan’s economic growth, mining development, and industrialization.

Uzbek officials emphasized that their cooperation with Afghanistan would not be limited to electricity exports but would also include electricity generation, transmission, distribution, and technical capacity-building initiatives.

Welcoming Uzbekistan’s proposals, DABS Chief Executive Officer Abdul Haq Hamkar said that the proposals were important and valuable for the development of Afghanistan’s energy sector.

He stressed the need for a clear and practical roadmap for bilateral cooperation to move into the implementation phase.

Hamkar said Afghanistan requires extensive technical studies in electricity generation and called for comprehensive feasibility studies for small-scale (Micro) and medium-scale (Mini) hydropower projects, as well as solar, natural gas, and coal-based electricity generation projects in different parts of the country to develop a comprehensive national energy map.

He added that Afghanistan’s goal is not only to import electricity but also to strengthen its domestic electricity generation, transmission, and distribution capacities.

According to Hamkar, technical cooperation and capacity-building in engineering, design, generation, operations, and maintenance are among Afghanistan’s key priorities.

“With a joint plan, strong technical coordination, and swift practical decisions, Afghanistan’s energy future will become brighter, and the economic ties between the two countries will be further strengthened,” Hamkar said.

The meeting also included discussions on the progress of the Surkhan–Pul-e-Khumri 500 kV Power Transmission Project. Both sides stressed the importance of accelerating the implementation of the project and pledged to address existing challenges through close technical coordination and joint efforts.

The First Deputy Minister of Energy of Uzbekistan said that a comprehensive 15-year Energy Development Plan would be prepared for Afghanistan.

He added that after completing the required technical studies and feasibility assessments, the technical specifications and estimated costs of priority projects would be shared with Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat.

At the end of the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to establishing joint technical working groups, exchanging expertise and technology, strengthening technical capacities, and continuing practical cooperation to modernize Afghanistan’s energy sector.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has called for closer cooperation between Central Asia, the South Caucasus and Afghanistan, saying a historic opportunity has emerged to create a shared development space in the heart of Eurasia.

Speaking at an informal consultative meeting of Central Asian leaders and the President of Azerbaijan in Kyrgyzstan on Friday, Mirziyoyev said Central Asia should now be viewed within a broader geopolitical framework.

He said the region, which was once divided, is gradually moving toward greater cooperation around a common development agenda, while Azerbaijan’s participation expands this process beyond Central Asia.

“A historic opportunity is opening before us to create a common space for development linking Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Afghanistan. We must seize this moment to build lasting ties and good-neighborly relations in the heart of Eurasia,” Mirziyoyev said.

The Uzbek leader emphasized the importance of strengthening regional connectivity, economic cooperation and long-term relations among neighboring countries.