24/09/2013 Ambassador Fatimie, Embassy host reception to honor participants of 2nd Training for Kabul Municipality in Japan

September 24, 2013: 
Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie and the diplomats and staff of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan hosted a reception in honor of the participants of the 2nd Training for Kabul Municipality in Japan. Trainings have been focused on the following: land use zoning, building control mechanism, district plans, development plans, participatory approach, urban renewal/redevelopment, consensus building process and implementation, lead readjustment methodologies and planning process, land readjustment, and more. Some 20 persons from Kabul Municipality were said to have been involved.

Joining the Embassy and the Afghan participants of the program at the reception were Japanese program leaders, including Mr. Naomichi Murooka, Adcisor of the Peace Building and Urban and Regional Development Department at JICA; and a group of prominent Afghans residing in Japan.

Opening the event with a speech, Ambassador Dr. Fatimie first and foremost offered sincerest gratitude to Japan and JICA for this latest initiative in a legacy of cooperation that has bettered lives, spurred development, and helped in the spread of peace. The Ambassador also encouraged the participants to take their new knowledge and skills back to Afghanistan to further benefit the people and to contribute to the reawakening of glorious development and culture.

Speeches of encouragement were also delivered by Mr. Murooka of JICA and, in closing, Mr. Poya Faryabi, Minister Counsellor at the Embassy. Small tokens of encouragement were also provided to those in attendance.

The Afghan participants of the program who were present at the event are as follows:

• Mr. Wahid Shahaby
• Mr. Qian Shenwary
• Mr. Nazifullah Omarkhil
• Mr. Atiqullah Hamidi
• Mr. Abdul Hameed Mojaddidy
• Mr. Faridoon Afshari
• Mr. Masoud Ahmad Sediqi
• Mr. Nangialay Yousufzai
• Mr. Ahmad Samir Ehsan
• Mr. Ekramuddin Shahab

13/09/2013 Ambassador Fatimie attends closing ceremony of “On-Farm Water Management for Afghanistan” training course.

September 13, 2013: 
Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie attended, along with Mr. Sayed Ali Asghar Amiri, Third Secretary at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the closing ceremony of “On-Farm Water Management for Afghanistan” FY2013 training course organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan and the Agriculture Development Consultants Association (ADCA).

Ambassador Dr. Fatimie had the opportunity to address the participants, following speeches by Director Yukiharu Harada of ADCA and Deputy Director Isao Yamashita of the Ministry’s International Cooperation Division. In his speech, the Ambassador firstly expressed greatest gratitude in general to Japan for its selfless, life-bettering cooperation in Afghanistan’s development and peace, and specifically to the Ministry and its partner the ADCA for supporting the core sector of agriculture in Afghanistan. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie further congratulated the graduates for their successful studies and encouraged them to apply what they have learned in Afghanistan.
The participants of the course were as follows

• Mr. Abdul Qahar
• Mr. Mohammad Qasim
• Mr. Sultan Ahmad of Kabul
• Mr. Abdul Manan
• Mr. Ahmad Hossin
• Mr. Sultan Ahmad of Herat
• Mr. Abdul Hamid
• Mr. Najibullah
• Mr. Khan Aqa
• Mr. Mohammad Hussain

Special thanks are also necessary to Mr. Jiharu Tanakozawa, who was of great importance to the event.

11-12/09/2013 Ambassador Fatimie visits Fukuoka, meets with Hon. Mayor, Hon. Vice Gov., attends Dr. Nakamura’s award ceremony.

September 11-12, 2013: 

Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie made an official visit to Fukuoka prefecture. An important partner in Afghanistan’s development both on a people to people level and a Government to Government level, this visit was highly significant.

Ambassador Dr. Fatimie firstly was extended an extremely warm welcome from Hon. Vice-Governor Etsuko Ebii (pictured above) at Her office, with the Afghan flag flying outside. Ambassador Fatimie expressed deepest gratitude, on behalf of the people and Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, for the enlightened and impact-generating support that Japan, and within this Fukuoka, has provided to socio-economic areas and to the peace process.

Ambassador Dr. Fatimie was then received very cordially by Hon. Mayor Soichiro Takashima (pictured above) of Fukuoka city. Ambassador Fatimie had the pleasure of also being able to express to His Honor sincerest appreciation, on behalf of the people and Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, for the selfless and life-bettering partnership extended by Japan and Fukuoka city in specific.

On the following day, the Ambassador had the great pleasure of attending a gathering with Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino. The gathering was held in commemoration of the awarding of the Fukuoka Prize. This year, the top award of the Fukuoka Prize was awarded to Dr. Tetsu Nakamura (who can also be seen in the top photo to the side)of Peshawar-kai. Dr. Nakamura has been active in assisting vulnerable Afghan populations both within Afghanistan and in refuge in Pakistan. Following the gathering, Ambassador Dr. Fatimie and Their Imperial Highnesses both attended the ceremony to award the Fukuoka Prize. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie was given the opportunity to deliver a toast in honor of all recipients after. The speech accompanying the toast can be read by clicking here.

At the event, Ambassador Dr. Fatimie was able to meet with a number of key dignitaries, including H.E. Ambassador Smt. Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa and First Secretary Abbagani Ramu of India, Hon. Consul-General Tom Yates of Australia, Director-General Minoru Saruwatari of the International Relations Bureau of Fukuoka Prefecture, Executive Director Takanori Hyakutake and Mr. Akihisa Sakamoto of the International Affairs Department of Fukuoka City, Chairman Norio Sueyoshi of the Fukuoka Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Director Shinichi Baba of the Lifelong Learning Section of the Board of Education of Fukuoka City, Chairman Tetsuya Goto and Secretary-General Mitsuji Fukumoto of Peshhawar-kai, Chairman Michisada Kamata of Yokatopia Foundation, and President Setsuo Arikawa of Kyushu University,

To read the media coverage of the Ambassador’s visit, click here.

10/09/2013 Ambassador Fatimie, Embassy host ceremony to honor graduates of PEACE scholarship program

September 10, 2013: 
Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie and the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Tokyo hosted a ceremony to mark the successful completion of studies of several members of the PEACE scholarship program. The PEACE program is an initiative through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to bring to Japan Afghan officials for higher education. By its conclusion, it is scheduled to provide scholarships to 500 participants.



Ambassador Dr. Fatimie opened the event by greeting all in attendance. He expressed, on behalf of the people and the Government of Afghanistan, deepest gratitude to the noble Government of Japan and JICA for this future-oriented program, praising it is an investment in great developments. The Ambassador also commended the participants on their drive to complete meaningful studies, encouraging them to go back to Afghanistan empowered and as forces for further betterment of the nation.

The event also featured presentations on the research of the students being recognized. The students’ names are as follows:

• Mr. Habib Abdul Hasib
• Mr. Yaser Mohammad Ali
• Mr. Sayed Sadr u Din Hasimi
• Mr. Farid Ahmad Darmal
• Mr. Jawerd Ahmad Haqbeen
• Mr. Sayed Shabirullah
• Mr. Mohammad Rashid

19/08/2013 Ambassador Fatimie's National Day message published in the Japan Times

 

August 19th, 2013: Monday marked the 94th anniversary of Afghanistan's National Day. For the occasion, Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie wrote a National Day message which was then published in the Japan Times. His article, "With bright future, ties will strengthen", highlighted the growth in the relationship between Afghanistan and Japan. He focused on the many beneficial developments Japan's friendship has brought Afghanistan and the Afghan people.

The Ambassador was joined by Toshihiro Nikai who wrote a piece entitled "Further prosperity in store for Afghanistan in next 12 months." The Ambassador's National Day message was also published in Japanese.

To view the article in a larger size, click here.

5/08/2013 Ambassador Fatimie welcomes Mr. Okuyama of Asahi Shimbun

August 5, 2013: Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie welcomed to the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Tokyo Mr. Shojiro Okuyama of the Asahi Shimbun newspaper’s Interactive News Section. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie expressed sincere gratitude for the interest that this leading publication takes in the Embassy and expressed his expectation that fair coverage would be given.

Mr. Okuyama also spoke with Mr. Jason Pratt, the Embassy’s Public Affairs Officer about the Embassy’s social media activities.

31/07/2013 Ambassador Fatimie attends Iftar reception hosted by H.E. Prime Minister Abe

July 31, 2013: 
Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie had the distinct pleasure of attending an Iftar reception hosted by H.E. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at H.E. the latter’s office in Tokyo. Iftar is the meal that comes with the breaking of the fast in the holy month of Ramadan, as recognized and held in reverence by Muslims. The auspicious event was attended by ranking representatives of the Japanese Government and Their Excellencies the Ambassadors of Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) member states.

H.E. Prime Minister Abe opened the event by addressing the attendees. Stressing His intention to further foster friendly relations with the Islamic world, H.E. the Prime Minister mentioned that He has already began making visits to nations represented that evening.

Following H.E. Prime Minister Abe, H.E. Ambassador H.E. Mr. Sid Ali Ketrandji spoke in representation of Their Excellencies the OIC representatives, as did H.E. Former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori; and Hon. Mr. Natsuo Yamaguchi, head of the New Komeito party.

Ambassador Dr. Fatimie was afforded the great honor of speaking with H.E. Prime Minister Abe, to whom the Ambassador firstly expressed heartfelt appreciation, on behalf of the people and Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, for the generous and life-bettering cooperation that the Japanese Government and people have extended in towards socio-economic development and the further spread of peace. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie stated that this manifestation of the nations’ friendship would never be forgotten in Afghanistan. H.E. the Prime Minister, who kindly recalled Ambassador Dr. Fatimie’s service as Minister of Public Health, assured that such cooperation would only continue in order to realize H.E. the Prime Minister’s vision of greater peace in Afghanistan. The Ambassador responded that through H.E. Prime Minister Abe’s leadership and the Japanese initiatives to this end, this dream could be realized.

(photo above courtesy of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan)

Ambassador Dr. Fatimie was able to interact with a number of other esteemed attendees. Having the chance to speak with H.E. Mr. Fumio Kishida (pictured below), Ambassador Dr. Fatimie reiterated the enduring gratitude of the Afghan people and Government. H.E. the Foreign Minister kindly expressed the same sentiment as H.E. the Prime Minister that the Japanese Government is dedicated to continuing its cooperation with Afghanistan. Furthermore Ambassador Dr. Fatimie met with H.E. Parliamentary Vice-Minister of the Environment Ken Saito; H.E. Ambassador Shigeyuki Hiroki, Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; H.E. Senior Vice-Minister of the Cabinet Office Yasutoshi Nishimura, and Director-General Makio Miyagawa of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan’s Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau. Ambassador Fatimie further had the opportunity to speak to Their Excellencies the Ambassadors of present that evening and to wish them the blessings of the holy month.