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World Bank appoints new country director for Afghanistan

Faris Hadad-Zervos emphasized the importance of supporting the private sector and micro, small, and medium enterprises, particularly those operated by women, to foster job creation and inclusive growth.

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The World Bank on Thursday announced the appointment of Faris Hadad-Zervos as the new Country Director for Afghanistan.

Previously, Hadad-Zervos served as the Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

“Mr. Faris Hadad-Zervos has been appointed the World Bank’s new Country Director for Afghanistan, effective today. He succeeds Ms. Melinda Good, who has taken on a new World Bank assignment. Mr. Hadad-Zervos’ most recent assignment was serving as the Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka,” the World Bank stated.

Expressing his enthusiasm for his new role, Hadad-Zervos stated, “I am excited to continue our support to the people of Afghanistan, together with our partners. My first priority is to ensure that the World Bank continues supporting basic services that are so essential to the welfare and future prospects of the Afghan people such as healthcare, education, food security, and livelihoods support, with a focus on ensuring that women and girls benefit.”

He also emphasized the importance of supporting the private sector and micro, small, and medium enterprises, particularly those operated by women, to foster job creation and inclusive growth.

“I am also keen to ensure that we increase our support to the private sector and micro, small and medium enterprises – including those run by women – so the private sector can create much-needed jobs and realize its potential as an engine of inclusive growth,” said Hadad-Zervos.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has welcomed the appointment of a new head of the World Bank office in Afghanistan and said that the bank should resume the work of its incomplete projects in Afghanistan.

According to experts, however, since the sanctions have had a negative impact on the country’s banking system, it is hoped that the expansion of the World Bank’s activities will lead to the improvement of Afghanistan’s economic situation.

Hadad-Zervos, a U.S. national, has been with the World Bank since 1996. His career includes positions as Country Manager in Nepal, Malaysia, and Bolivia, and roles such as Manager of the Technical Cooperation Program with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Head of Mission for Iraq, and Operations Manager for the West Bank and Gaza.

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Iran’s supreme leader emphasizes need to expand relations with Afghanistan

Under Iran’s new president, Masud Pezeshkian, Tehran has signed several memorandums of cooperation related to trade and transit with Afghanistan.

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Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has said that expanding relations with neighbors, especially Afghanistan, is a firm policy of Tehran.

The Iranian Embassy in Kabul on Thursday published a statement on X that cited Khamenei as saying: “Expanding relations with neighbors is a firm policy of the Islamic Republic.

“One of the declared policies of the government is also expanding relations with neighbors, and by the grace of God, good work has been done in this regard and some progress has been made, and the honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs is active and dynamic in this area.”

Under Iran’s new president, Masud Pezeshkian, Tehran has signed several memorandums of cooperation related to trade and transit with Afghanistan.

One key project, the Chabahar Port, has also received much focus. This is the only ocean port of Iran on the Gulf of Oman, which enables the transit of goods between Afghanistan and India.

The Chabahar Transit Project was created by India, Iran, and Afghanistan in 2016; Uzbekistan recently joined this project as well.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) hopes to use this commercial transit route more – especially amid tensions with Pakistan.

Currently, Afghanistan is Iran’s fourth export destination while Iran, along with Pakistan and China, are Afghanistan’s most important trading partners.

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Afghanistan’s membership at ICC no longer valid: IEA

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The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) declared Thursday that it does not recognize any legal obligation under the Rome Statute and deems the former government’s accession to this statute to be devoid of legal validity.

In a statement, IEA said that rather than adhering to the principles of justice and impartiality, the International Criminal Court has consistently operated in accordance with political considerations.

“In numerous countries, including Afghanistan, millions of innocent civilians—predominantly women and children—have suffered oppression and been subjected to acts of violence. However, this “court” has conspicuously failed to address these egregious injustices,” the statement said.

“This institution has undertaken no substantive measures against the war crimes perpetrated in Afghanistan by occupying forces and their allies. These transgressions include the wholesale destruction of villages, educational institutions, mosques, hospitals, and wedding ceremonies. Thousands of women, children, elderly individuals, and even prisoners in captivity have been martyred, yet this “court” has neither initiated investigations nor sought to prevent these acts of oppression,” the statement added.

IEA noted that many of the world’s major powers are not signatories to ICC, and “it is unwarranted for a nation such as Afghanistan which has historically endured foreign occupation and colonial subjugation to be bound by its jurisdiction.”

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Japan tells visiting IEA delegation to respect human rights

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A senior Foreign Ministry official of Japan has called on visiting representatives of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) to respect human rights and promote an “inclusive” political process.

Toshihide Ando, director-general of the Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau, met with IEA’s senior officials in Tokyo on Feb. 18, according to Toshihiro Kitamura, Japan Foreign Mininstry’s press secretary.

Ando, who serves as the ministry’s special representative for Afghanistan, asked the officials to address “urgent priorities,” such as respect of human rights and promotion of an “inclusive” political process, Kitamura told a news conference on Feb. 19.

IEA officials arrived in Japan on Feb. 16 at the invitation of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation.

IEA officials are staying in Japan for about a week during their first visit to the country since their return to power in August 2021.

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