Dr. Ashraf Ghani

(Radio Address on World Environment Day)

Keypoints:

Climate Challenges: Afghanistan faces extreme weather, drought, and environmental impacts.
Environmental Governance: Environment Day becomes Environment Week to raise awareness.
Pollution Control: Address air, water, soil, and noise pollution to protect life.
Urban Infrastructure: Improve public transit and ban low-quality fuel to reduce emissions.
Cultural Change: Reduce plastic use and revive traditional environmentally friendly practices.
Strategic Investments: Invest $1.5 billion in irrigation, dams, karizes, and green infrastructure.
Forests and Green Belt: Protect forests and create a 10,000-hectare green belt around Kabul.
Citizen Responsibility: Engage citizens, media, and civil society in environmental protection.

In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

Honorable Compatriots,

The fifth of June, which coincides with the 15th of Jawza, marks the International Day of the Environment. The improvement of our living environment is of vital significance for all of humanity and, indeed, for all life on this planet. For us, this importance is even more pronounced, as climate change driven by environmental degradation has exerted a disproportionately negative impact on our nation.

Climate Anomalies and the Criminal Economy

During this very month of Jawza, we witnessed five consecutive hours of snowfall in certain regions of Badakhshan. Such anomalous precipitation inflicts severe damage upon both human life and the agricultural sector. Furthermore, in Southern Afghanistan, we have been grappling with a prolonged drought since 1996—a phenomenon that can be identified as a primary driver of the poppy cultivation and the expansion of the criminal economy. Similarly, in Kabul during the autumn and winter seasons, the air quality occasionally deteriorates to the point where visibility is reduced to a mere five meters.

Institutionalizing Environmental Governance

To fortify the culture of environmental preservation and to heighten public awareness, the Government of Afghanistan has resolved to transform "Environment Day" in our official calendar into "Environment Week." Henceforth, every year from the 15th to the 21st of Jawza, the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) and other relevant departments will observe this week through diverse programs to catalyze social awakening and accelerate the struggle against environmental crises.

Environmental challenges—namely the pollution of soil, air, and water—threaten the survival of human, animal, and plant life. Air pollution serves as a direct or indirect factor in the mortality of numerous citizens. Successful global experiences in urban air purification exist, and we intend to utilize them.

Urban Infrastructure and Fuel Quality

For instance, investing in public transit encourages citizens to prefer buses, thereby reducing traffic congestion and vehicular emissions in major cities. Regarding air quality, I assure my fellow citizens that we will, under no circumstances, permit the importation of low-quality fuel. We are prepared to take every legal measure to prevent the use of substandard fuels, which not only shorten the lifespan of engines but also cause fatal diseases.

The Crisis of Noise and Water Pollution

In Afghanistan, serious measures are required to reduce noise pollution. This form of pollution, which generates both mental and physical ailments, is rampant in our cities—ranging from excessive horn-honking to the unregulated use of loudspeakers. Some have taken the liberty of using loudspeakers late into the night during weddings or other events, disregarding the peace and rest of others.

My dear compatriots, water pollution, which claims millions of lives globally every year, is a major challenge for our people. In our cities, most citizens lack access to clean drinking water, and this problem is even more acute in our villages.

The "Plasticization" of the Soil and Cultural Nostalgia

Soil contamination is another environmental crisis facing our large cities, particularly Kabul. Today, the streets of Kabul are littered with plastic bags like autumn leaves—a major factor in the toxification of our soil. Those of middle age in Kabul will remember when a single grape vine trellis would cover an entire courtyard; today, such examples are rare because the purity of our soil and air has been compromised.

The travelogues of tourists who visited Kabul four or five decades ago are filled with praise for Kabul’s azure skies and pristine air. Today, however, neither is the sky that "Lapis Lazuli" blue, nor is the air clean. In the past, shopkeepers utilized paper bags, and urban families used cloth bags for their shopping. These have largely been replaced by plastic bags, which harm both health and the environment. Even bakery bread is now commonly carried in plastic rather than cloth; we must abandon this habit and revive our forgotten cultural traditions. Plastic bags, discarded recklessly, serve as the primary agents of soil degradation.

Strategic Investments and the Green Belt

To cultivate an environmental ethos, the education system, media, and civil society can play a pivotal role. Green spaces are vital for a healthy environment. The Government is determined to invest $1.5 billion over the next four to five years to reconstruct and develop irrigation networks, dams, and karizes. These actions will not only boost the economy and the livelihoods of farmers but will also improve the environment.

In the past, 3% of Afghanistan’s land was covered by forests; in recent years, this has decreased to 2.6%. Forests prevent soil erosion and flooding while purifying the air. Therefore, the Government has a firm resolve to protect, restore, and expand our forests by preventing illegal logging and re-greening degraded areas. We also intend to prevent the destruction of pastures and restore 50,000 hectares of degraded rangeland to its original state within the next four to five years.

The Government is determined to establish a "Green Belt" covering 10,000 hectares around Kabul city to aid in air purification. We have similar measures in mind for other cities across the country. Protecting our soil, water, and air, and preserving our forests and green environments, is a national, moral, and human obligation for us all. We must each take part and not act unjustly toward the blessings of the Almighty.

As Sheikh Saadi (Peace be upon him) says:

The clouds, the wind, the moon, the sun, and the heavens are all at work, So that you may earn a loaf of bread and not eat it in negligence. All are wandering and obedient for your sake, It is not a condition of justice that you should not obey.

Once again, I request all my compatriots to cooperate with the Government in protecting the environment, which provides the foundations for a healthy and sanitary life. Having a healthy environment is a human and moral obligation for us all. A progressive society requires a healthy and sanitary environment alongside the strengthening of ethics, science, and technology. I express my gratitude in advance to the staff of the environmental protection agencies and relevant ministries for their awareness-raising efforts.