On October 3, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul convened the inaugural meeting of the U.S.-Afghanistan Bilateral Commission, established by the U.S.-Afghanistan Enduring Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) President Obama and President Karzai signed earlier this year in Kabul.

Remarks
Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul
Ben Franklin Room-US State Department
Washington, DC
October 3, 2012

NEW YORK—While in New York City for the United Nations General Assembly, Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul and Ambassador Eklil Hakimi attended the EastWest Institute's 2012 Leadership Awards dinner, which were presented to the inspiring Ms. Shinkai Karokhail, a renowned women's rights activist and member of the Afghan Parliament, and Dr. Fehmida Mirza, the first woman speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan.

WASHINGTON—Ambassador and Mrs. Hakimi welcomed Honorable Sadako Ogata for lunch at the Embassy on Thursday, September 21, 2012. They discussed the progress of the many initiatives underway in Afghanistan as a result of Madame Ogata’s work as the former President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and former Special Representative of the Prime Minister of Japan on Afghanistan.

Ambassador and Mrs. Hakimi worked closely with Madame Ogata in the Ambassador’s last post as Afghanistan’s Ambassador to Japan.

WASHINGTON—Ambassador and Mrs. Hakimi attended the Alice Award Luncheon honoring former First Lady Laura Bush at the Sewall-Belmont House & Museum on Capitol Hill today, September 19, 2012. Partly due to her impactful work for the betterment of women in Afghanistan, Mrs. Bush was awarded the Alice Award that “honors women who have broken barriers and set new precedents for women,” according to the Sewall-Belmont House & Museum.

Afghanistan’s national treasures will soon have a new home. Afghan Minister for Information and Culture, Dr. Sayed Makhdom Raheen, announced the winners of the International Architectural Ideas Competition who will design the new building to house the National Museum of Afghanistan at an awards ceremony in Kabul on Monday, September 17.

“The National Museum of Afghanistan is the memories of our ancestors; the achievements and the pride generated by our ancestors are kept here,” said Minister Raheen addressing the ceremony guests.

NEW YORK—Representatives from the Embassy of Afghanistan in Washington, DC, attended The Rug Show at the Jarvis Convention Center in New York City from September 9–12. The Rug Show was a premier exhibition showcasing the latest releases in classic, contemporary, antique and one-of-a-kind award-winning designs from some of the leading producers and wholesalers of weavings. Among sixteen international rug exhibitors, Afghanistan’s fine carpets designs were showcased by Ariana Rugs and Ahmadi Company.

KABUL- President Hamid Karzai strongly condemned the roadside bombing in Greshk district of Helmand province.

According to Helmand Governor’s Office, a vehicle hit a roadside bomb on Friday afternoon in Greshk district of Helmand province, leaving 12 civilians dead, most of whom were women and children from two families.

WASHINGTON—Ambassador Hakimi welcomed over 300 people to the Embassy to celebrate the 93rd Anniversary of the Restoration of Independence of Afghanistan Wednesday evening. Amongst an intricate display of traditional Afghan handicrafts, artwork, and rugs, Ambassador Hakimi and Under Secretary of State for Management Patrick F. Kennedy delivered remarks to guests who then enjoyed a full buffet of traditional Afghan food.