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News Archive

2008

 

News Archive

2009

 

L'Afghanistan, un autre regard

     

      

The United Nations Office in Geneva, in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Geneva, has put on display an exhibition of paintings and photographs entitled “L'Afghanistan, un autre regard" (Another look at Afghanistan) in the “Galerie des pas perdus” in European headquarters of United Nations in Geneva.

The inauguration ceremony that took place on 3 December 2009 was attended by Geneva-based diplomatic corps, senior staff members of the United Nations and the Afghan community.

In his inaugural speech, His Excellency Mr. Sergi Ordzhonikisze, Director-General of the United Nations European headquarters praised Ambassador Tarzi and his team for their contribution to the UN Cultural Activities  Programme and believes that the breath-taking images really do capture the essence of Afghanistan landscapes and they provide another look at Afghanistan that goes well beyond media headlines. 

His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Nanguyalai Tarzi Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the UN in Geneva also addressed the attendees and said: Afghanistan has a rich culture and thousands of years of civilization. Afghanistan has always had a pivotal role in the region. However, its image is being portrayed in today’s media as a devastated, war-torn country and center for poppy cultivation. He added that this exhibition is a great opportunity to see the peaceful and picturesque image of Afghanistan.

This unique exhibition displays paintings and photographs of Afghan artists like Mr. Aziz Tarzi and Mr. Mamoun Etemadi; as well as French artists Mr. Benrnard Ponty, who was also among the speakers, and Mr. Emmanuel Bouyx whom they had traveled to Afghanistan during the 1970s. The exhibition is designed to illustrate a peaceful image of Afghanistan to the public.

The exhibition will remain open to the general public until 15 January 2010. For further information, please visit the UNOG site. 

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Afghan Minister of Commerce attended 7th WTO Ministerial Conference

 

H.E Mr. Wahidullah Shahrani at the WTO Conference

     

                           Minister Shahrani & H.E Frank Heemskerk,         Minister Shahrani & H.E. Makhdoom Amin Fahim

 

H.E Mr. Wahidullah Shahrani Minister of Commerce and Industry of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan headed the Afghan delegation to the 7th WTO Ministerial Conference which was held from 30th November to 2nd December 2009 in Geneva.

The conference was held under the theme of “The WTO, the Multilateral Trading system and the Current Global Economic Environment” and the need to conclude the Doha Round of trade negotiations in 2010 was reaffirmed by Ministers of 180 Members and observers of the WTO.  

In his statement, Minister Shahrani stated that “Afghanistan is still only an observer to the WTO, but our commitment to become a member is strong and we fully support the goals of the Doha Development Round with its pledge to bring the needs and concerns of the Least-Developed Countries to the forefront of the negotiations.”

Highlighting some of the achievements towards closer cooperation with the WTO and final membership of the organization, the Minister added that “to fully utilize the process we still require the support and assistance from our international partners through trade capacity building and Aid for Trade programs.”

In the sideline of the conference, Minister Shahrani met bilaterally with Ms. Patricia Francis, Executive director of International Trade Centre (ITC), H.E Frank Heemskerk, Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade, and H.E. Mr. Eenennaam Netherlands’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative in Geneva who is chairing Afghanistan accession working party in the WTO.   Afghan Minister also met with H.E. Makhdoom Amin Fahim Minister of Commerce of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

It is pertinent to mention that the Afghan delegation also attended consultative Meeting of OIC Trade Ministers, which was organized by the Islamic Development Bank and the SAARC Ministerial Meeting, on the eve of the conference.