بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم
Your Excellency, Mr. Chairman,
Distinguished Heads of States and Governments,
Honorable Ministers, Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Asalamualaikum !
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Kabul (BNA) I wish to begin by thanking our hosts, the people and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, for their warm welcome and generous hospitality.
I congratulate as well, my brother, President Mahmood Ahmadinejad, on assuming the Presidency of Non-Aligned Movement. Please be assured of Afghanistan’s full cooperation and support in your efforts to strengthen our Movement’s response to the multiple and interconnected global challenges.
I wish also to express our appreciation to the Government of Egypt for the strong leadership it provided during its presidency to re-energize our Movement’s cooperative and collective action in face of the major developments, and the profound and complex changes that the world is experiencing.
Mr. Chairman,
Over the past sixty years, scientific and technological innovations, the globalization of trade, and the liberalization of financial markets have had far-reaching repercussions for human interaction. People across the globe have become more connected and interdependent.
The emergence new global economic powers has also caused a power sharing from the dominant western powers to developing nations, and has helped create a multi-polar economic and political international environment, in which, developing nations have become influential and indispensible partners in international affairs. In this new reality, many members of our Movement are positioned to play a determining role in achieving an equitable balance in international affairs. Indeed, some Movement members have already seized the opportunity to speed up their nations’ development, and have grown into major forces in the new balance of power.
Over the span of its fifty-one years of existence, Non-Aligned Movement has worked to influence the shape of an international order – more firmly grounded on the values of justice, equality and democracy. Then, our solidarity and collective efforts enabled us to promote decolonization and to fight apartheid. Today, If we maintain our strong sense of common purpose, our Movement will succeed in its goal to democratize global governance.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Six decades ago, when many developing countries were just emerging, the architects of today’s institutions of global political and economic governance gave substantial power to developed countries. The context in which these institutions were founded has been affected by the growing global interdependence.
The looming transnational and global challenges, many of which will be deliberated upon during this Summit, make it imperative that we strengthen or reform the international institutions so as to render them more effective and efficient in eliminating threats to world peace and security.
Afghanistan fully supports the Non-Aligned Movement’s efforts to reform the current international institutions, particularly by strengthening the UN General Assembly, reforming the IMF, the World Bank and the United Nations Security Council.
Mr. Chairman,
Three decades of aggression, foreign interference and conflict undermined Afghanistan’s sovereignty and progress, and exposed it to terrorism, narcotics and transnational crime as well.
Today, as a result of our efforts of the past ten years, the Afghan people have gained the ability to protect their security and pursue their own path for development. Our national security forces are taking over security responsibilities for an increasing expanse of Afghanistan’s territory. By the end of 2013, the transfer of security responsibilities from the international security forces to the Afghan National Security Forces will be accomplished and by the end of 2014 the withdrawal of NATO-ISAF forces will be completed.
Terrorism, Ladies and Gentlemen, continues to be the prime impediment to peace and stability in the wider region. we are convinced that defeating terrorism and associated threats requires a combination of bilateral, regional and international cooperation and partnership.
I take this opportunity to thank our supporters within the international community and members of the Non-Aligned Movement for the steadfastness demonstrated in Bonn, Chicago and Tokyo to stand by Afghanistan as it pursues its journey of transformation to a secure and prosperous future.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Over recent months, we have committed to long-term partnerships with several countries. Our strategic Partnership Agreements will neither change Afghanistan’s adherence to the ideals of Non-Alignment, nor in any way, do they affect our commitment to regional arrangements.
The most fervent desire of the Afghan people is to enjoy lasting peace. To this end, the Afghan Government is committed to a process of reconciliation with members of the armed opposition. We are ready to make peace with all who renounce violence and break ties with terrorist organizations and accept the Afghan Constitution. The leadership of the armed opposition is to be found outside of Afghanistan. We have invited our brotherly neighbor, Pakistan, to help us in our pursuit of lasting peace and security.
We are of the firm belief that ensuring security and stability in the region and eliminating the threat of terrorism depends on our sincere cooperation. In this regard, we welcome the positive interactions that we have had with our Pakistani brothers in the recent months.
Mr. Chairman,
All people have the right to enjoy freedom, self-determination and security. Afghanistan as ever is gravely concerned about the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The people of Afghanistan have a very soft core in their hearts for our brothers and sisters in Palestine. We fully support the establishment of an independent Palestinian State.
Having suffered the devastating consequences of war and conflict, the people of Afghanistan deeply commiserate with the suffering of our Syrian brothers and sisters. We call on all parities to the conflict to work for a negotiated solution.
Afghanistan is welcoming the appointment of Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi as the UN-Arab League special envoy and we wish him all the best in his efforts.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Throughout the history of the Movement, we have spoken with one voice on important issues.
Today, people across the world face uncertainty regarding their security and economic well-being. I believe that our Movement has the capacity to contribute to the creation of a system of global governance that is marked by a more balanced economy and a more democratized international order. This summit offers us the opportunity to map the course that we should take towards this goal. I therefore wish our deliberations much success and thank you very much.
