2019.25.10 Closing Remarks at the “Symposium on State-building Efforts in Afghanistan Toward its Enduring Peace: Nexus among Humanitarian, Development and Peace” at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto.

Closing Remarks at the “Symposium on State-building Efforts in Afghanistan Toward its Enduring Peace: Nexus among Humanitarian, Development and Peace” at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto.

October 25, 2019: It was an honor and pleasure for H.E. Ambassador Dr. Bashir Mohabbat to give closing remarks at “Symposium on State-building Efforts in Afghanistan Toward its Enduring Peace: Nexus among Humanitarian, Development and Peace”, hosted by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Institute of International Relations and Area Studies (Ritsumeikan University), and the College & Graduate School of International Relations (Ritsumeikan University) at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto.

The keynote speakers of this symposium were the renowned H.E. Ms. Adela Raz, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the United Nations, and H.E. Mr. Tadamichi Yamamoto, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan and the Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), leaders in Afghan Affairs globally. Following the keynote addresses, there was a panel discussion on the progress and challenges of the Triple Nexus by respected leaders in their respective fields. This was followed by closing remarks by H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohabbat.

H.E. Dr. Mohabbat expressed sincerest thanks and appreciation on behalf of the people and Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the hosts of the for arranging this opportunity; the people and Government of Japan for all their support extended to Afghanistan over the past 18 years being the second largest donor to Afghanistan generously providing Afghanistan with over 6.5 billion dollars, contributing to economic development and supporting our quest for peace, development, and building efficient state institutions; and particular gratitude to JICA for instituting programs such as the Project for the Promotion and Enhancement of the Afghan Capacity for Effective Development (also known as the PEACE Project) which puts generous scholarships and priceless, cutting-edge education into the hands of Afghanistan’s motivated youth: its future leaders. Molding them into global citizens and catalyzing capacity building and sustainability by-Afghans for-Afghans, greatly supports the development and rebuilding of social, political, and economic foundations, and cements suitable infrastructure empowering Afghans – like citizens of many other countries who have benefited from Japan’s altruism – to live fuller, richer, healthier and happier lives. Further he kindly requested Ritsumeikan University, JICA, and those in the audience to continue to advocate for Afghanistan by opening up even more scholarship opportunities to keep forward momentum going.

Following the lecture, a few of the Afghan Scholar studying at Ritsumeikan University through the PEACE Program gave individual presentations on aspects of their country for the guests to understand better. All the guests present remarked how informative and eye-opening they found the presentation to be and very much looked forward to hearing more about Afghanistan’s push towards peace in the future.

Closing Remarks at the “Symposium on State-building Efforts in Afghanistan Toward its Enduring Peace: Nexus among Humanitarian, Development and Peace” at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto.