Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund’s Speech at the National Labor Conference

Honorable officials, esteemed guests, and all participants of the National Labor Conference.
May God’s mercy and blessings be upon you.

Unemployment and poverty, among other societal issues, have created significant challenges within our community. A robust economy is essential in addressing these problems, as it can create suitable and beneficial job opportunities and play a positive and impactful role in strengthening the nation’s economy. As a responsible and governing system, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan considers it its duty to provide the best, fairest, and timely services in every sector. We are committed to making effective and substantial use of all available opportunities and capacities to take decisive and fundamental steps that will quickly and efficiently achieve our desired goals and plans.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has not ignored the concerns and issues of the people. Officials at various levels are continuously working not only to fulfill their duties properly but also to implement reasonable and timely actions that provide better and more appropriate services to the public.

Dear Participants,

Considering Afghanistan's geographical location, necessary efforts are being made to transform our country into a connecting point between South and Central Asia. We aim to increase trade levels more than ever, facilitate the export of domestic products, work on energy transmission and transfer, shorten distances using the railway, and provide facilities for our national traders. Additionally, we seek to encourage and attract foreign investors to invest in Afghanistan. In all these efforts, our goal is to create employment opportunities directly and indirectly, hoping that many of our fellow citizens will be engaged in offering services and working in various fields.

Honorable attendees,

You are well aware that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has launched numerous foundational and public welfare projects to strengthen the economy, achieve self-sufficiency, reduce unemployment and poverty levels, and create job opportunities for the people. Some of these projects have been completed, and many are still in progress, with Afghan professionals working day and night, utilizing available and limited resources to bring those seemingly impossible dreams to reality.

You have witnessed the completion of the first phase of the Qosh Tepa Canal national project, and work on its second phase is progressing rapidly. The Bakhshabad Dam in Farah is under construction, and oil extraction from the Amu Darya and Qashqari is ongoing. Positive steps have been taken in the mining sector, attracting increased investment interest from domestic and foreign companies, and the National Procurement Commission is approving numerous important and prioritized projects. Our monetary stability has maintained significant value compared to neighboring countries. For the first time in history, our national budget is funded from domestic revenues, and all the aforementioned projects are being implemented and executed through these revenues. There has been a strong fight against administrative corruption, and the cultivation of poppies has nearly reached zero. With the implementation of these national projects, which have created employment for thousands of people, I am confident that we will witness remarkable progress in social, economic, and political sectors and see a prosperous Afghanistan.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is ready for positive engagement with all countries worldwide, considering national interests and mutual respect, and has fulfilled its responsibilities in this regard. I call upon the international community to understand the challenges faced by the Afghan people and lift the unjust banking sanctions that have caused numerous problems, and positively engage with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

We are committed to paving all the paths that will lead to the dignity and improvement of life for our people and country. By learning from past experiences, we will strive with even greater determination and resolve for the progress of our country.

In conclusion, I extend my gratitude and appreciation to the leadership, officials, and staff of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs for their significant and positive initiative in addressing the issue of unemployment, particularly among the youth, by organizing the National Labor Conference. They aim to fulfill their responsibilities in reducing unemployment and poverty through this initiative. I commend and support their efforts. I urge all governmental and non-governmental institutions, international organizations based in Afghanistan, the private sector, and national traders to remain closely aligned with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and work jointly in providing services to our citizens. We, too, will continue to be close partners with all of you, especially with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, in this endeavor.

Thank you for your attention.

May God’s mercy and blessings be upon you.