Mobilizing Afghan Youth for Nation-Building and Economic Development

Speech at the “Tashweeq” Employment Program gathering with Afghan youth

Keypoints: 

• Youth Employment Opportunities: The program focuses on creating jobs for young people.
• Infrastructure Projects as Jobs: Projects like dams, energy, and transport create employment.
• Skills and Capacity Building: Youth must gain skills to manage future development.
• Economic Connectivity: Regional trade and transit open new job markets.
• Human Capital Development: Young people are seen as the country’s main economic resource.
• Investment and International Aid: Global commitments support employment and development programs.
• Economic Self-Reliance: Reducing imports and increasing production creates local jobs.
• Government Reform for Employment: Administrative reforms aim to open opportunities for a younger workforce.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 

Dear youth, Mr. Norzai, government officials, and esteemed members of the Cabinet: Peace be upon you all, and the mercy and blessings of Allah. Khosh Geldeng, Welcome, Pe Kheyr Raghlast! I thank you for your extensive presence. Until last night, I was unaware you had organized this gathering. I begin here because you, the youth, are a blessing from God; you keep nothing in your hearts and ask your questions directly—this is how transparency is born. One brother asked earlier: 'Did you invite us here to deceive the public, or did you come to listen to us?' I have come to hear your views, but more than anything, I came to draw energy from you. With every handshake today, my energy increased. Seeing the spirit in this hall gives me confidence that Afghanistan is being managed by healthy hands. I was initially told I should not speak, so I have two choices: to speak a lot or a little. Which do you prefer?

Accountability and the Burden of National Survival (1394–1395)

"First, you have grievances, and they are justified. Over these past two years, I have not maintained the level of communication with you that you expected. I accept this grievance completely. However, I have an explanation. While personal, continuous meetings may not have been possible, there has not been a single day where I did not work for your present and your future. First, every day in these past two years, four to ten hours of my time were spent on the security of Afghanistan. Sisters and brothers, this was not my choice; it was the compulsion of time and a war imposed upon the people of Afghanistan. The year 2015 (1394) was a war for our survival. The enemies of Afghanistan believed they could end the government and the very existence of the Afghan state. [Addressing the enemies:] Take those dreams to your graves. You, the young generation, volunteered for the National Army, the Police, and the National Directorate of Security. With your blood and the participation of previous generations, you secured the survival of this nation. May your homes be prosperous. Thank you! The year 2016 (1395) was the year of our cohesive defense. The enemy brought everything they had to attack our helpless people. But let them know: do not enter the lion’s den unawares, for we will devour you."

Global Diplomacy and the Re-emergence of Afghanistan

"Where do we stand now? Judge for yourselves: were we in isolation or at the center of the world's attention? Today, following two major global conferences, Afghanistan is at the heart of international focus. You saw the Warsaw Conference, where $15$ billion was pledged for the next four years for Afghanistan’s security and defense forces. What does this mean? It means that 354,000 brave sons of this soil—men and women standing shoulder to shoulder—will be capable of bringing stability to this land. Whether the enemy likes it or not, this land is ours, and we will build it. Our bones have not rested here for 4,000 years for nothing; the blood of heroes runs through your veins, and the whole nation counts on you. Second, six months ago, weren't all the commentators saying that if Afghanistan secured $4$ billion at the Brussels Conference, we should throw our hats in the air? Instead, we secured $15.2$ billion in pledges. What does this enable? Today, our people, the region, and the world believe again that a stable and prosperous Afghanistan is possible. Therefore, I had to split my 18-hour workday into two parts: one part was managing the continuous crises created by the enemies of this land. These crises had to be managed; without crisis management, people lose their patience. It is not that this region is inherently prone to crisis, but unfortunately, we live in a neighborhood where others constantly create them for us. But the second part of my work is the demand of your generation: transformation and its management. You saw the launch of major projects that people had lost hope in—Salma, Kajaki, CASA-1000, and Aqina belong to all of you. How did this happen? First, vast possibilities had to be arranged. Afghanistan requires work at various levels. The first is the global level, because our problems and resources are linked to the world. Do not believe anyone who says we are in a domestic civil war. This is an international war, and we are on the front lines. This is a battle between right and falsehood; we are on the side of right, and each of you represents the hopes of Afghanistan. Look around this hall—is there any thought here other than fixing, building, and prospering? [Audience: No!] This is the will of the young generation of Afghanistan. The will is set. O homeland, I will build you, and I will build you with the full strength of the youth."

Identity, Heritage, and Religious Pride

"In our current state—since you always laugh at me for using the word 'framework,' I will now use the word 'foundation.' [Laughs with audience]. I must change my vocabulary, or you will keep making jokes—and jokes are your right. Your anger is a source of pride for me because I am proud of you. I have two physical children whom the First Lady raised, but the burden of all of you is on me because that is what you want. You have given me great honor; the nomads have a proverb: 'He who reaches sixty, starts over at twenty.' You have counted a man over sixty among the youth, so you have given me forty more years of life. Second, Afghanistan is prominent in the Islamic world. Never forget the immense contribution of this land to the holy religion of Islam and Islamic civilization. We must understand our religion in all its historical dimensions. In faith and sacrifice, there is none like us in the world; however, we are weak in understanding our own history. Your generation must realize you have a legacy of 3,000 to 4,000 years of statehood. Every Afghan believes in Afghanistan; we are not people who lack self-confidence. Anyone who thinks Afghanistan will cease to be, will themselves cease to be. This land is eternal. We were Muslims, we are Muslims, and we will be Muslims forever. It is essential that the Islamic world understands our importance, and we understand theirs. You can see progress in this area every day."

Asia’s Economic Gravity and Regional Connectivity

"Our third dimension is Asian. Your future opportunities are largely tied to the future of Asia. You are perhaps among the luckiest generations in our history; during your lifetime, Asia will likely transform into a massive economic continent. One of the world's economic centers of gravity is shifting to Asia. This has happened only once before in history, with North America. The reason Aqina is so significant is that Afghanistan is once again becoming the Heart of Asia and a point of connection. Without a regular transport system to organize the Heart of Asia, the arteries of the continent remain blocked. Opening these arteries is tied to the stability and prosperity of Afghanistan and your future. Today, two of Asia's greatest economic powers have reached a consensus that Afghanistan must undergo a fundamental change. You saw my trip to India—the reception I received was a reception for you and your honor. As a professor and global expert, I have visited India many times and seen a third of the country. India gave honor to Afghanistan, not to the person of Ashraf Ghani. When someone represents a great nation, a noble generation, and an honorable people, the world honors them. So, congratulations to you! In India's history, they have never provided $1$ billion in aid to anyone else. But more importantly, there will be opportunities for tens of thousands of you. You sitting in this hall will see the best universities made available to you. Look at China as well. Today, China has concluded that the revival of the Silk Road is impossible without Afghanistan. Look, brothers and sisters! we do not have a single power grid; we have nine different ones. We lacked connecting railways and fiber optic networks. The reason I work on infrastructure is because your future depends on it, and you are the ones who will manage this vast infrastructure and these connections. Fourth is the regional issue. In two years, Afghanistan has indissolubly revived its thousand-year-old links with Central Asia. We were apart for 150 years; today we are close again. Khosh Keldeng! Every language of ours is a language of pride, honor, and connection. Fortunately, every Afghan masters two to five languages. This means you are worth two to five people in terms of capacity. In this environment, your opportunities are being created. In Salma, $650$ million cubic meters of water were stored, and our goal is to store $26$ billion cubic meters. Today we import electricity; in five years, by your efforts, we will be an exporter. Today we rely on imports for everything; in five to ten years, we will become a major exporter."

Human Capital and the Vision for State Reform

"But Afghanistan's greatest wealth is two things: First, the wealth God gave this soil, worth trillions of dollars. Just $33\%$ of our minerals were estimated at $3$ trillion dollars, but that is underground. Our second wealth is you—our human capital! Our human capital must now align itself with the dimensions Afghanistan is facing. You must have a great understanding of Iran, China, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, India, and Pakistan. Yes, Pakistan. Afghanistan does not want charity from anyone; Afghanistan wants honorable state-to-state relations because we want to give you your rights. Brothers, you know one thing—do I know how to handle money or not? I want nothing for myself; this coat is enough for me. I want everything for you and this country. If we don’t generate $500$ million dollars ourselves soon, you can cut off my hand! If we haven't helped you in five years, cut off my hand! But it’s not just about aid; it’s about mutual interests. Afghanistan is not a threat to anyone. We are a land of honor and courage. To those who come in friendship, our arms are wide open; but from Alexander the Great to everyone else who came by force, they left in regret. So, you must prepare yourselves. What is the problem with governance? The problem is that we have suffered forty years of war, conflict, and division. Consequently, the capacity that exists in the nation does not exist in the state. This is our fundamental problem. You are the natural managers and leaders of this country, but you must preserve the spirit I see here. What spirit do I see? National unity, national commitment, national struggle, and a belief in the equality of men and women. Fundamental reform of the state is our goal. Until now, those who feel threatened by reform have been screaming loudly, while you—who benefit most—were busy elsewhere. I hope you now focus. 'Transformation' requires a voice, cohesive ideas, and national spirit. The national spirit, as defined by our Constitution, is the equality of every Afghan with every other Afghan. Think nationally. What does that mean? I have visited all 34 provinces. When someone says 'Faizabad,' I don't think it's the center of Kunar. A few years ago, one of our high-ranking officials was asked for the center of Kunar and said, 'Faizabad, Badakhshan!' It wasn't his fault; we were a generation of migrants, far from home. Now, 'Afghanistan-ology' is vital for us. In studying our country, we learn that the pain and hopes of the entire nation are the same. I want your specific views on administrative reform. We will arrange cohesive discussions with you. I accepted your grievance, but in these two years, the administration has become on average six years younger, and it will continue to grow younger. Furthermore, working in government is not just about the method of work. We must create a prosperous economy, and its management is in your hands. Alongside this, creating a civil society—where the mosque is the center and volunteer networks are vital—is essential. I thank you again for giving me the opportunity to take energy from you. I thank Mr. Norzai and Mr. Ibrahimi. He is the head of the PPS (Presidential Protective Service). I can't go anywhere unless he lets me. I thank him because if the PPS trusts 3,000 of you enough to let you in without weapons, how could I not trust you? Yashasin Afghanistan! (Long live Afghanistan!) Zenda bad Afghanistan! Tel de wi Afghanistan! May our current and future leaders be enduring!"