25/04/2011 Ambassador Fatimie and Embassy staff view the film “Their Majesties The Emperor and The Empress – Official Duties at the Imperial Palace”

April 25, 2011: Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie and the staff of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan viewed the film “Their Majesties The Emperor and The Empress – Official Duties at the Imperial Palace,” provided by the Imperial Household Agency.

The film detailed the yearly activities of Their Majesties, paying a great deal of attention to diplomatic affairs, many of which the Ambassador and the Diplomats have had the honor of participating in.

Ambassador Fatimie described the film as informative and important in increasing the staff’s understanding of Afghanistan’s close and noble friends, Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan.

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19/04/2011 Ambassador Fatimie welcomes Mr. Sadat, Director of SADAT Business Group, to the Embassy

April 19, 2011: Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie welcomed Director Sayed Ishaq Sadat of SADAT Business Group to the Embassy. Dr. Bashir Mohabbat, Deputy Chief of Mission, also attended the meeting.

Director Sadat, who is an active promoter of trade relations between Afghanistan and Japan, is currently visiting Japan to encourage Japanese private sector investment in Afghanistan’s development; he has already met with a number of Japanese business people.

SADAT Business Group is mainly involved in construction, but Director Sadat supports Japanese investment in a number of sectors.

During his courtesy call to the Ambassador, the two discussed the current situation in Afghanistan as well as viable ways to involve potential Japanese partners.

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12/04/2011 Second meeting of representatives of Afghan residents in Japan held to discuss support issues for the victims of March 11th’s Tohoku earthquake and tsunami

April 12, 2011: One day after the one-month anniversary of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, Ambassador Sayed M. Amin Fatimie, met for a second time with representatives of Afghan residents of Japan at the Embassy in order to build upon plans to support the victims of March 11th’s tragic Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. In attendance were, representing the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Dr. Bashir Mohabbat, Deputy Chief of Staff; Mr. Bahadur Kargar, Third Secretary and Consul; Mr. Jason Pratt, Public Affairs Officer; and Ms. Parwana Paikan; representing the Afghan residents of Japan were Mr. Jafar Ahmadyar, the committee’s head; Mr. Amin Kohi, the project’s auditor; and Mr. Haji Hussein, the committee’s treasurer.

Since the previous meeting, many Afghan residents in Japan had come forward in solidarity with their Japanese brothers and sisters to financially support the committee’s declaration to provide for the survivors. A total of 1,841,000 yen had been raised as of the meeting.

The funds will be used to purchase gas stoves and light bulbs, at the request of the Ibaraki Prefectural Government, to install in temporary housing units in the prefecture which will house evacuees from Fukushima. A group comprising of members of the committee and staff of the Embassy will deliver the materials to Ibaraki in the near future.

To see the list of those who have donated to the relief fund, click here.

To see the list of previous donations made by the diplomats of the Embassy on March 15th, click here.

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7/04/2011 Representatives of Afghan residents of Japan gather in support of victims of March 11th’s Tohoku earthquake and tsunami

April 7, 2011: Ambassador Sayed M. Amin Fatimie met with more than 20 prominent representatives of Afghan residents of Japan at the Embassy in order to show their solidarity with the victims of March 11th’s tragic Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, and to decide upon ways in which to support the survivors. The representatives, men and women, encompassed all ethnicities and groups in Afghanistan.

Through the meeting, 415,000 yen was gathered to be dedicated to purchasing supplies for those in the regions most affected by these disasters. Attendees vowed to collect further funds from other Afghan residents who were not present. The supplies will be delivered in person to the Tohoku region by a group of 14, including three members from the Embassy, selected by the representatives at a date to be decided later. The 14-member committee is to be headed by Mr. Jafar Ahmadyar, with Mr. Haji Hussein serving as treasurer, and Mr. Amin Kohi serving as auditor.

The members of this session expressed that they were pleased with this initiative instituted by the Embassy, and promised their resolve to stand with their Japanese brothers and sisters.

 

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30/03/2011 Ambassador Fatimie visits Hiroshima, meets with Hon. Governor Yuzaki, speaks at UNITAR session

May 30-31, 2011: Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie made a trip to Hiroshima at the invitation of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). A city of redevelopment and rebirth, Hiroshima is inspirational for both northeastern Japan following the disasters of March 11th as well as for Afghanistan in its development.

 

Ambassador Fatimie received a warm welcome to the city by Mr. Alex Mejia, head of UNITAR’s Hiroshima office, who accompanied the Ambassador to Hiroshima Peace Park for an official tour of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. On the occasion of his visit, Ambassador Fatimie signed the museum’s book dedicated to messages from dignitaries, writing:

 

The atomic bombing of the city of Hiroshima and its aftermath serves as a grave reminder of the terrible tragedy and cruelty of war and highlights the importance of peace.

I wish the resilient residents of Hiroshima and the entire noble nation of Japan peace, happiness, and prosperity.

 

The Ambassador further expressed his condolences for the victims of Hiroshima, on behalf of the people and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Japan, through the laying of flowers at the cenotaph. This was followed by a visit to the Atomic Bomb Dome.

 

On the evening of the 30th, Ambassador Fatimie spoke to local government officials, representatives of NGOs, and other dignitaries and members of the public at UNITAR’s public session. Ambassador Fatimie’s presentation focused on maternal mortality rates, telling of the historical state of maternal health care in Afghanistan, the progress that has been made, and the goals and steps for the future.

To view the Ambassador’s presentation, click here.

 

On the morning of the 31st, Ambassador Fatimie had the honor of calling upon the Honorable Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki. The Ambassador praised Hiroshima for its inspirational role in the world, while expressing condolences over the past tragedy, as conveying his condolences and solidarity with Japan regarding the March 11th earthquake and tsunami. Ambassador Fatimie also offered gratitude for the Governor and Hiroshima’s support in Afghanistan’s development, particularly in regards to capacity development.

 

During the Ambassador’s stay, he was interviewed by the Chugoku Shimbun. To read the story in Japanese, click here.

  (Photo: Ambassador Fatimie meets with Governor Yuzaki and Mr. Mejia.)

(Photo: Ambassador Fatimie delivers a presentation at UNITAR’s public session. Photo courtesy of UNITAR)

(Photo: Ambassador Fatimie and Mr. Mejia visit with students in front of the cenotaph.)

31/03/2011 Ambassador Fatimie presents awards for excellence in work to Mr. Toledo, Mr. Valencia, Ms. Taura

 

(Ambassador Fatimie with Mr. Toledo) 

March 31, 2011: Ambassador Sayed M. Amin Fatimie presented awards for excellence in work to Mr. Arvin Toledo; Mr. Rodolfo Valencia, Jr. (Jun); and Ms. Mai Taura. Mr. Toledo and Valencia are local staff who have performed beyond the requirements of their services, and Ms. Taura is an intern who has proven very capable and responsible.

Following the awarding of the letters of appreciation, Ambassador Fatimie held a discussion with the Embassy’s internship staff answering their questions and working to motivate them further. The Embassy sees its internship program as one of its cornerstone activities.

(photos: left: Ambassador Fatimie with Mr. Valencia, right: Ambassador Fatimie with Ms. Taura)

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