د لټون پایلې
102 results for "Governance" — Page 1 of 6
National Dialogue: History, Culture, and National Identity
This book presents the full transcript of the first episode of National Dialogue, featuring President Ashraf Ghani’s dialogue with young citizens at C
Fixing Failed States: A Framework for Rebuilding a Fractured World
Fixing Failed States: A Framework for Rebuilding a Fractured World is a policy-focused book that examines why states collapse and offers practical strategies for rebuilding governance, security, an
A Framework for a New Silk Road in Asia Ashraf Ghani, October 2011
A Framework for a New Silk Road in Asia Ashraf Ghani, October 2011 Introduction For five hundred years, the specter of war haunted Europe. In the last sixty years, this long European conflict has been brought to an end by a compelling vision of European economic and political integration and the statesmanship to make the vision a reality. By contrast Asia has remained haunted by conflict through the second half of the 20th century and the first two decades of the 21st century. An end to this long Asian civil war would allow for tremendous economic, political and cultural growth in the most populous region on earth, with profound implications for many of the challenges confronting our deeply inter-connected world. Bringing the long Asian conflict to a close requires a vision that is as compelling and far-reaching as that of the European vision, and for the leaders of Asia to rise to the challenge of founding a new and enduring order. The New Silk Road vision supplies a powerful, historically resonant, Asian analogue to the European success story. By reminding Asians of a great ancestry, in which transcontinental trade networks generated prosperity, security and political stability, the image suggests that a 21st century Silk Road could secure Asia’s future just as regional integration reshaped Europe. The Old Silk Road While the New Silk Road would not simply attempt to replicate the old, the old Silk Road has much to teach us about how regional economic and political integration can be achieved. First, much more than simply a network of roads, the old Silk Road is better understood as a set of interlocking institutions that combined to create a system. The Silk Road system included sophisticated financial institutions, dispute resolution systems rooted in Islamic and Mongol codes of conduct, and created connections between urban elites that straddled empires. The New Silk Road cannot succeed simply by creating transportation networks throughout the region and it will be important to create the broader institutional arrangements that will be required. Finding ways to embed the states of the Middle East, Central, South and East Asia within regional flows and webs of interdependency will be a critical challenge. The New Silk Road The Asian continent is undergoing a great economic transformation, as China, India and Russia increasingly shift from maritime to land-based trade. This transformation presents tremendous opportunities for all countries in the region. At present, however, regional tensions - including between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and Pakistan and India – mean that this potential is not being harnessed. Without a vision for a different future, and a program of action to realize it, the opportunity will be lost. Prevalent attitudes of suspicion regarding regional cooperation reflect an autarkic 19th mentality in which a perceived need to control dwindling resources prevents recognition of the vast potential of today’s economic dynamics. It will take time to demonstrate the benefits of the New Silk Road, and regional cooperation and integration will emerge incrementally, by understanding and using imagination and creativity to build upon what already exists. The first step on this journey therefore should be to perform a full stock taking: mapping stakeholders and existing assets as well as identifying constraints. Certain areas would seem to merit particular attention. Lack of agreement on the rules governing flows of people, goods and ideas is a key obstacle to the emergence of a New Silk Road. At the regional level, attention should be given to laying the foundation with a set of international agreements in areas of clear mutual benefit. The process of reaching agreement helps to build trust, and once the benefits of the agreements are felt, support can be built for subsequent agreement in other areas. The European Union grew from the relatively humble beginnings of an agreement on Coal and Steel. Cities will play a crucial role as nodes of connection along the New Silk Road. This vision, however, is incompatible with cities that are centers of informality and illegality. The development of citizenship - understood as involving both rights and duties - the governance of urban development, and catalyzing and regulating the market must be understood as parts of a whole. Reform of property relations will be vital to the empowerment of the poor and to positioning cities as centers of entrepreneurship. Regional and global experience of reform can provide invaluable insights. The financial architecture of the region requires serious attention. Small and Medium sized enterprises are critical drivers of economic growth, but financial intermediation remains low and there is much to do in creating the instruments to provide the reliable, fairly priced credit needed to produce growth. Given the vast scale of infrastructure that will be needed for regional integration, much scope exists to create innovative financing mechanisms for construction and maintenance. Again, regional and global experience – not least Singapore’s use of pension funds to provide housing for the population - provides startling examples of the possibilities. Risk management is another area in which incremental improvements could yield great benefits, and here the international development partners have an opportunity to add value. Global experience has shown that creation of a domestic construction industry is a key driver of growth. Building infrastructure will be at the heart of the New Silk Road, but, to drive growth, the task of building infrastructure should be used to build domestic and regional capacity in design, procurement, project management, supply chain management, operation and maintenance and a range of other vital areas. Technical advances in value chain and supply chain management, if they could be applied to the infrastructure requirements of the New Silk Road, would similarly yield immense efficiencies. Building the New Silk Road infrastructure is a golden opportunity to create institutional and human capacity that can subsequently be put to work in other ways and that change the horizons of what is possible. The international community has an opportunity to support this agenda by championing a new model of contracting that minimizes wasteful sub-contracting chains and creates new partnerships between international expertise and region industry, by simplifying and clarifying international norms and standards, and that builds state capacity to monitor and regulate. Conclusion These issues will converge with great intensity on the issue of harnessing the abundant mineral wealth of Asia. Afghanistan alone is estimated to possess $1-3 trillion in mineral wealth, and the Chinese and Indian economies have much to gain from such assets. Well-governed according to a Silk Road vision of regional consensus and mutual benefit, these regional resources could become an engine of stability and prosperity for all players. Without a shift in mentality, however, these resources could become a driver of instability, corruption, and environmental degradation. This latter scenario would serve narrow, short-term interests but would produce yet another lost generation. This is the choice: our mental outlook is our greatest obstacle.
Episode 45: Lessons of Disintegration
This episode explores the deepening political fragmentation of Afghanistan following the death of Timur Shah Durrani, focusing on elite rivalries, the rise of the Barakzai (Payenda Khel) brothers, and the gradual collapse of centralized authority. It examines how internal power struggles, disputed succession, economic decline, and shifting regional dynamics—amid expanding British, Russian, Qajar, and Sikh influence—reshaped the country during the nineteenth century. At the same time, it highlights the resilience of popular unity in moments of foreign invasion and reflects on the long-term lessons of governance, justice, and national cohesion.
Episode 44: The Dissipation of Afghan State (Empire)
This episode explores the rise and gradual fragmentation of the Durrani Empire after the death of its founder, Ahmad Shah Durrani. It examines the reign of Timur Shah Durrani, the transfer of the capital from Kandahar to Kabul, and the growing rivalries among royal heirs that weakened central authority. The discussion highlights the absence of clear succession laws, tensions between the Sadozai and the Barakzai branches of the ruling elite, mounting economic pressures, and the broader regional dynamics involving Qajar Persia, the Sikh Empire, and the British—offering historical lessons on governance, unity, and the consequences of political fragmentation.
Episode 43: Establishment of Modern Afghan State
In this episode, we explore the 300-year history of modern Afghanistan, tracing its origins from the rise of Ahmad Shah Durrani in 1747. The discussion examines the political, military, and cultural foundations of the Durrani Empire, the challenges of succession, and the role of key figures and tribes in shaping the state. Through historical context, including earlier periods under Mirwais Khan Hotak and the interventions of Nader Shah Afshar, the episode highlights how Afghanistan’s early modern state was established, its governance systems, economic structures, and diplomatic relations, offering lessons on unity, leadership, and state-building for contemporary audiences.
Episode 36: Telecommunications (Part II)
This discussion outlines Afghanistan’s communications journey from early caravan and signal systems to the telegraph and telephone under Amir Sher Ali Khan and Amir Habibullah Khan, modernization under King Amanullah Khan and King Mohammad Zahir Shah, and later reforms during the presidencies of Sardar Mohammad Daoud Khan and Dr. Mohammad Najibullah. It highlights the post-2001 mobile and fiber expansion, regulatory and cybersecurity challenges, digital misinformation, satellite and regional integration, and a long-term vision for advanced e-governance and digital connectivity by 2047.
Episode 35: Telecommunications (Part I)
This episode explores the evolution of communication technologies—from early signaling methods to the telegraph, telephone, radio, and today’s internet—and how each stage transformed society, governance, and journalism. It also examines the opportunities and risks of the digital age, including global connectivity, cyber threats, and disinformation in an increasingly interconnected world.
Episode 28: Historical Overview of Kabul City (Part I)
This episode examines the historical evolution and contemporary challenges of Kabul, from its ancient roots as a crossroads of civilizations to its role as a modern capital. The discussion highlights rapid urban growth, infrastructure pressures, water and environmental concerns, and governance challenges, while presenting a long-term vision for sustainable development and preservation of the city’s cultural heritage.
Episode 27: Strategic Plans for Five Major Cities
This episode explores the strategic development plans designed for five major Afghan cities—Mazar-e-Sharif, Herat, Kandahar, Khost, and Jalalabad. The discussion outlines a long-term vision to transform these urban centers into modern, well-planned cities aligned with the demands of the 21st century, while preserving their historical identity and cultural heritage. Key themes include infrastructure development, water and environmental management, job creation, urban governance, transit connectivity, and the role of private investment. The episode also addresses funding strategies, implementation challenges, and how these plans aimed to position the cities as economic, cultural, and regional transit hubs.
Episode 24: Urban Civilization (Part 1)
This podcast explores the history of urban civilization in Afghanistan, tracing the development of cities from ancient times. It covers the Zoroastrian, Hellenistic-Bactrian, and Buddhist periods, explaining how cities were planned around water, trade, agriculture, and defense. It also discusses trade routes like the Silk Road, cultural exchanges, architecture, governance, and the connections between cities across the region over thousands of years.
Episode 19: Civilization Capital (Part II)
This episode continues the discussion on civilizational capital by examining the development of Islamic jurisprudence, intellectual traditions, and political thought. It reflects on the influence of major scholars such as Imam Abu Hanifa and Ibn Taymiyyah, and connects their ideas to institutional reform, education, and governance in Afghanistan. The episode emphasizes that understanding this intellectual legacy is essential for shaping a confident and forward-looking future.
Episode 17: Information Technology (Part II)
This episode explores the role of information technology in strengthening governance and public services in Afghanistan. It highlights digital identity systems, e-governance platforms, and electronic payments, while examining challenges such as weak infrastructure and limited technical capacity. The discussion emphasizes that digital transformation is not just about technology, but about improving transparency, efficiency, and long-term national development.
Episode 16: Information Technology (Part I)
This episode examines how digital transformation can strengthen governance, transparency, and economic growth in Afghanistan. It explores the development of e-governance, digital identity systems, electronic payments, and integrated public databases, while addressing challenges such as weak infrastructure, limited technical capacity, and institutional resistance. The discussion highlights how technology—when combined with accountability and strategic planning—can reduce corruption, improve public services, and support long-term national development.
Episode 15: Natural Resources (Part II)
This episode continues the discussion on Afghanistan’s natural resources by examining the deeper structural, economic, and governance challenges that determine whether mineral wealth becomes a source of prosperity or instability. It explores global lessons from countries that successfully managed their resources, as well as those that struggled due to corruption, weak institutions, and conflict. The episode highlights the importance of infrastructure, transparent contracts, technical expertise, environmental responsibility, and national unity in transforming underground wealth into sustainable development. Ultimately, it emphasizes that natural resources alone do not guarantee progress—strong institutions, strategic planning, and accountability are essential for long-term national growth.
Episode 7: Drought
This episode examines the critical and recurring threat of drought in Afghanistan. Following a winter of record-low snowfall and rising temperatures, the discussion moves beyond weather patterns to analyze drought as a fundamental challenge to national stability and economic survival. The conversation frames water management not just as a technical necessity, but as a core requirement for political legitimacy and state effectiveness. Key Discussion Points: Defining the Crisis: An exploration of the three dimensions of drought: the lack of precipitation, the depletion of surface water (rivers and springs), and the critical loss of moisture within the soil, which leads to the alarming drop in groundwater levels across major cities. Historical Impact and Legitimacy: A review of how major droughts have historically challenged the stability of governance in the region, emphasizing the urgent need for a shift from "emergency management" to long-term institutional planning. The Vulnerability of Agriculture and Livestock: A deep dive into the risks faced by the foundational pillars of the economy. The discussion highlights the devastating loss of rural assets, market volatility, and the erosion of food security during dry cycles. Strategic Trade and Food Security: The importance of "land-linked" trade corridors. It details how diversifying trade routes toward Central Asia (such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan) serves as a deliberate strategy to ensure a steady supply of grain and commodities when traditional borders are closed. Water Management as a National Asset: A case for the management of every drop of water. This includes the strategic importance of large-scale dams, modern irrigation networks, and community-led check dams to transform the country into a regional hub for agricultural production. The Global and Regional Dimension: Addressing the "sovereignty threat" posed by environmental degradation, including the illegal smuggling of timber and the lack of regional cooperation. The episode argues for a regional approach to climate adaptation to protect shared resources. Summary: This episode provides a comprehensive analysis of the "State Effectiveness" framework applied to climate change. It argues that while traditional and cultural responses to drought are significant, the primary responsibility of a functioning administration is to apply science, modern technology, and regional diplomacy to protect the livelihoods of the most vulnerable—the farmers, herders, and rural citizens who form the heart of the nation.
Revitalizing Afghan Cities through Planning, Law, and Cooperation
Speech at Third National Urban Conference of Afghanistan
Strengthening Justice: Reform and Independence of Afghanistan’s Prosecutorial System
Speech at the Fourth Nationwide Prosecutors’ Conference
Empowering Rural Women and Transforming Afghanistan’s Agriculture
Speech at International Day of Rural Women, 18th Agricultural Exhibition, Kabul
Unity in Adversity: Strengthening the National Trust and the Reformist Path of the State
Speech at a commemorative ceremony for Ashura