From Humanitarian Aid to Strategic Transformation: The Legacy of Afghan-Swedish Relations

(Speech at 75th Anniversary of Afghanistan–Sweden Diplomatic Relations)

Keypoints:

• Historical Continuity: 75 years of uninterrupted Afghan–Swedish friendship.
• Shared Sacrifice: Honoring Swedish soldiers’ contributions to Afghan security.
• Educational Legacy: Swedish Committee (SCA) support for Afghan education during the 1990s.
• Common Values: Promoting human rights across Northern Europe and Afghanistan.
• Global Solidarity: United international stance against terrorism post-Paris attacks.
• Decade of Transformation: $1 billion Swedish commitment for development through 2024.
• Institutional Reform: Collaboration via g7+ to advance peace and state-building.

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

Honorable Isabella Lövin, Minister for International Development Cooperation of our friendly nation, Sweden; Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen!

I am honored that we are celebrating the 75th anniversary of friendship between Afghanistan and Sweden here in Kabul. I extend my deepest gratitude to Ms. Isabella Lövin for traveling to Afghanistan and being our guest.

Sweden is a country that has consistently supported Afghanistan across various sectors. Beyond its contributions to our developmental and economic spheres, Sweden has provided significant assistance in the areas of security and the establishment of stability in Afghanistan, making great sacrifices in the process. Over the past years, Swedish soldiers lived alongside our people for the sake of peace and stability; they participated in the war against terrorism, resulting in five fallen and fifteen wounded. We can say with certainty that the foundation of friendship between the nations of Afghanistan and Sweden has been further fortified by these sacrifices. The Afghan people will forever remember the devotion of our Swedish friends.

Sweden is located in Northern Europe, and Afghanistan lies in the Heart of Asia. The geographical distance between our two nations is vast; however, shared human values and common threats against humanity have brought these two great nations together.

Proponents of violence seek to segregate people of different regions, races, and cultures and breed suspicion among them, but shared human values keep humanity united and empathetic. Last week, when the enemies of freedom, democracy, and justice shed the blood of innocent humans in Paris, our people felt that grief as their own. We, who have been ravaged by terrorism more than anyone else, feel the pain and sorrow of those from whom terrorists steal a peaceful life and upon whom they inflict oppression.

The friendship between Afghanistan and Sweden is a sublime example of relations between two free and peace-loving nations in the successful struggle against evil and hatred. The 75-year history of friendship shows that Sweden has never left Afghanistan alone during hard and difficult times; rather, it has always provided us with help and cooperation.

In the 1990s, when the state system in Afghanistan had collapsed, the Swedish Committee for Afghanistan (SCA) effectively performed the role of a Ministry of Education for the schooling of Afghan children, providing unforgettable assistance in strengthening Afghanistan’s human capital. Today, we see many enlightened and educated youth in every corner of Afghanistan who studied in schools built by the Swedish Committee.

Over the last fifteen years, Sweden’s role in humanitarian aid and the development of Afghanistan has been prominent. Furthermore, Sweden was among the first countries to pledge substantial aid for the "Decade of Transformation"—pledges that even exceed their previous assistance. For this Decade of Transformation (2015 to 2024), Sweden has committed nearly one billion dollars to Afghanistan.

Sweden was also one of the first countries to cooperate in the implementation of the Afghan government’s initial national programs, such as the National Solidarity Program (NSP). As a leader in consolidating peace and cooperation among the world's nations, Sweden also shares membership with Afghanistan in the g7+ forum. Today, I agreed with Ms. Isabella—as they hold the co-chairmanship of this forum—that Afghanistan will host the g7+ annual meeting next year in the month of Hamal (March/April).

On behalf of the people of Afghanistan, I wholeheartedly thank the people and government of Sweden for their immense and generous assistance. The 75-year friendship between our two countries, which entered a new phase over the last fifteen years, will grow even firmer and broader in the years to come.