Speeches

2011

• 05/19/2011
  Remarks by Ambassador Said T. Jawad, former Ambassador of Afghanistan to the United States, at the Harvard University of Cambridge, MA
• 04/21/2011
  Remarks by Ambassador Said T. Jawad, former Ambassador of Afghanistan to the United States, at Johns Hopkins SAIS Washington, DC
• 04/15/2011
  Remarks by Ambassador Said T. Jawad, former Ambassador of Afghanistan to the United States, at Johns Hopkins SAIS Washington, DC
• 03/07/2011
  Remarks by Ambassador Said T. Jawad, former Ambassador of Afghanistan to the United States, at the Harvard University of Cambridge, MA
  
  Ending Terror without Embracing Tyranny
• 01/27/2011
  Remarks by Ambassador Said T. Jawad, former Ambassador of Afghanistan to the United States, at Macdill Air Force Base. Tampa, FL
  
  THE FUTURE OF AFGHANISTAN: AN INTEGRATED STRATEGY FOR GOVERNANCE, RECONCILIATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

2010

• 10/22/2010
  Remarks by Ambassador Said T. Jawad, Chairman of Foundation for Afghanistan. Easton, MD
  
  BUILDING HUMAN CAPITAL
• 10/07/2010
  Remarks by Ambassador Said T. Jawad, former Ambassador of Afghanistan to the United States, at the University of Nebraska, Omaha
• 06/16/2010
  Remarks by H.E Said T. Jawad Ambassador of Afghanistan to the United States At the Water Resources Roll-Out Event for United States Geological Survey (USGS)
  
  Understanding the water resources is vital to Afghanistan. A joint effort between the USGS and AGS has provided a deeper understanding of water resources in the Kabul Basin.
• 03/31/2010
  Remarks by H.E. Said T. Jawad Ambassador of Afghanistan At Johns Hopkins University “A New Foundation for Afghanistan”
  
  Conceptual ideas for establishing the Foundation for Afghanistan, a non-profit, non-partisan, non-governmental organization including a brief discuss the Foundation’s preliminary mission, the need for such a Foundation, as well as potential projects and objectives.
• 03/19/2010
  Ambassador Jawad joins President Bush to Address Afghanistan’s Literacy and Education
  
  Afghanistan’s Ambassador to the United States Said Jawad joined President and Mrs. George W. Bush at the Bush Presidential Library at Southern Methodist University (SMU) Thursday and Friday to speak on championing literacy and education in Afghanistan.
• 03/18/2010
  "Educating and Empowering the Women and Girls of Afghanistan:
  A Symposium on Education and Literacy" Remarks by Said T. Jawad
  
  We have come a long way in Afghanistan, but we are not out of the woods. Under the gender apartheid of the Taliban, women were deprived of all basic human rights. Today, Afghans enjoy more political, economic and social rights than at any time in the history of our country due to your support.
• 03/08/2010
  Ambassador Calls for Global Support of Afghanistan’s Women
  
  Calling for global support of gender equality in Afghanistan, Ambassador Said Jawad said the women of his country have made significant advances, but cautioned much work remained.
• 03/08/2010
  "Fragile Accomplishments of Afghan Women" Remarks by Said T. Jawad Ambassador of Afghanistan to the United States
  
  Clearly, Afghan women are agents of democratic changes, yet their full potential still remains untapped. In order to fully materialize potential, we need to further invest in education and economic empowerment of Afghan women.
• 02/24/2010
  REMARKS BY SAID T. JAWAD AMBASSADOR OF AFGHANISTAN AT THE U.S. CONGRESS "EVOLVING AFGHANISTAN BY CAROLINE FIRESTONE"
  
  Ambassador Jawad commends Caroline’s work in Afghanistan, as well as the good work of the New Hudson Foundation which has implemented a number of critically needed aid programs to assist women and children.
• 02/23/2010
  REMARKS BY SAID T. JAWAD AMBASSADOR OF AFGHANISTAN AT THE EMBASSY OF JAPAN “SUPPORT FOR ASCHIANA FOUNDATION TO ASSIST AFGHAN CHILDREN”
  
  Japan’s assistance over the past eight years has helped change the lives of millions of needy Afghan civilians, especially women and children.
• 02/23/2010
  REMARKS BY SAID T. JAWAD AMBASSADOR OF AFGHANISTAN AT THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS “VOICES FROM AFGHANISTAN”
  
  Despite feelings of despair and frustration in some letters to a popular radio show, these Afghan voices are full of optimism for a better future for our people.

2007 - 2009

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• 09/16/2009
  One Laptop Per Child Initiative Panel Discussion and Remarks with Senator John McCain “remarks” by Said Tayeb Jawad Ambassador of Afghanistan
  
  By providing a laptop to a child, we are connecting him with his peers all over the world, and encouraging him to share and collaborate, two very important values to build a peaceful, pluralistic and prosperous society.
• 05/29/2008
  Opening Remarks Ayenda Foundation Third Anniversary Celebration Embassy of Canada
  
  Under the caring leadership of the First Lady, Mrs. Bush, the Ayenda Foundation has been working with the U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council to put together broken lives and reverse the trauma of war and poverty by providing Afghan children a chance for a better and brighter future.
• 11/05/2007
  "The Importance of Education" Commencement Address Argosy University Graduation
  
  Please do not forget that, no matter how distant other lands, peoples and cultures may be, you cannot overlook their struggle or their hopes and desires for peace and prosperity. Their destiny is interlinked with yours. We all share the same beautiful planet and the same profound desire for security, dignity and freedom.
• 10/23/2007
  Opening Remarks Reception for Land of the High Flags
  
  Rosanne Klass chose the road less traveled, and her unique experience as an American woman teaching in Afghanistan in the 1950s has inspired countless others to discover the Afghanistan that exists beyond the headlines.
• 10/16/2007
  Opening Remarks Washington Preforming Arts Society Reception
  
  The questions that face us today is: how and where will we train the next generation of Afghan artists and musicians? I cannot imagine many partnerships that are more valuable than ours that brings young Afghans to America, where they can discover their full potential and talents.
• 10/01/2007
  Culture and Conflict in Diplomacy Friedrich Ebert Foundation Goethe Institute Washington, DC
  
  The Friedrich Ebert Foundation and the Media Tech centers have been doing noble work throughout Afghanistan, including sponsoring the very first photography exhibition in the northern Afghan province of Kunduz.

2005 - 2006

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• 06/26/2006
  The Future for a Democratic Afghanistan Ambassador Said T. Jawad
  
  Today, Afghanistan has begun its difficult but successful journey into a peaceful, pluralistic and prosperous society but still faces challenges in the state building process.
• 05/23/2006
  Afghanistan's Role in International Security, Remarks by Said T. Jawad
  
  Today, Afghanistan is once more playing its historic role in bridging cultures, countries and civilizations. Over 60 counties are helping rebuild Afghanistan. 36 countries have troops in Afghanistan. 41 countries are helping train and equip our national army.
• 05/12/2006
  Building Bridges: Afghanistan's Future Strategy Ambassador Said T. Jawad
  
  Afghans today enjoy more political, economic, and social rights than at any time in the history of the country. Free press is flourishing. Where extremists have tried to build walls, our strategy for the future is to build bridges.
• 04/17/2006
  Saving Afghanistan's Cultural Heritage Ambassador Said T. Jawad
  
  What took our archaeologists 70 years to discover took extremists less than a decade to sell off, burn, mutilate and demolish. The hollow cavities where the Giant Buddhas once stood in Bamiyan are a testament to the suffering of our country under the Taliban. It is through a renewed belief in ourselves, in our history and our culture, that Afghanistan will persevere its heritage.
• 04/04/2006
  Opening Remarks for Rebuilding Afghanistan Foundation Reception Ambassador Said T. Jawad
  
  Afghans are determined to rebuild their country and President Karzai is committed to work with the United States of America and the international community, as well as the Afghan and International NGO’S to further reinforce reconstruction, peace and stability in Afghanistan.
• 04/04/2006
  Business Opportunities in Afghanistan and Central Asia Ambassador Said T. Jawad
  
  We believe that trade and investment not only provides for the much needed economic growth in the region, but also is key to regional stability. We have signed onto numerous agreements and entered into a number of new partnerships with our friends in Central Asia.
• 03/02/2006
  The Role of Education In Afghanistan's Political Future Ambassador Said T. Jawad
  
  Among our numerous challenges, the task of rebuilding our education system has stood out. We have made some progress. Student enrollment in universities has leaped tenfold from 4,000 in 2002 to 40,000 in 2005.
• 02/15/2006
  Remarks Upon Afghanistan's Receiving the USTDA Country of the Year Award Ambassador Said T. Jawad
  
  As part of the standing U.S. commitment toward Afghanistan, US Trade & Development Agency has played an important role in assisting Afghanistan with economic development.
• 01/30/2006
  London Conference Reception Hosted by the Embassy of Afghanistan and Georgetown University Ambassador Said T. Jawad
  
  Now, with the execution of the Afghanistan Compact and the launching of the National Development Strategy, we are proving that the Afghan Government is not only committed, but also acquiring significant capacity to deliver services.
• 07/24/2005
  "STRENGTHENING AFGHANISTAN AND THE REGION" Remarks made by Ambassador Said T. Jawad LIECHTENSTEIN COLLOQUIUM ON EUROPEAN & INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS:
  
  The U.S.-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership supports Afghanistan's initiatives to restore the country's historic role as a land bridge connecting Central and South Asia. It will help shift the pattern of regional relations from rivalry and antagonism to economic and political cooperation which will lay a foundation for stability and prosperity throughout the region.
• 06/22/2005
  Ambassador's remarks at Golden Gate University, CA Remarks made by Ambassador Said T. Jawad
  
  In Afghanistan, two generations have lost the opportunity to acquire education and training due to three decades of invasion, war and violence. We have built hundreds of schools, however only 29% of schools in Afghanistan have a roof on it.
• 04/15/2005
  An Analysis of the State Building Process in Afghanistan Remarks by Ambassador Said T. Jawad
  
  Afghanistan has historically been a strong nation, but the state institutions are systematically destroyed in the past 30 years by invasion, war, terror and violence. With the partnership of the international community, we embark upon the difficult task of building an efficient government with small scope of activity.
• 03/07/2005
  Afghan Women's Entrepreneurship & Health Roundtable, Remarks by Ambassador Said T. Jawad
  
  Afghan women have made significant progress in securing their rights in Afghanistan. The new constitution of Afghanistan provides for equal rights and full participation of women in all spheres of life, but we are still facing serious challenges in the area of health care and economic opportunities for women.
• 01/12/2005
  Afghan Women's Entrepreneurship & Health Roundtable, Remarks by Ambassador Said T. Jawad
  
  Afghan women have made significant progress in securing their rights in Afghanistan. The new constitution of Afghanistan provides for equal rights and full participation of women in all spheres of life, but we are still facing serious challenges in the area of health care and economic opportunities for women.

2003 - 2004

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• 11/18/2004
  Afghanistan Business Dialogue Series Remarks by Ambassador Said T. Jawad
  
  The Afghanistan Business Dialogue is an initiative of the Afghan Embassy, Afghan American Chamber of Commerce and the Afghanistan International Chamber of Commerce. The dialogue includes at least one event a month on business issues. This is the second of a series of dialogues that we are holding to help potential investors have a better understanding of the investment process and opportunities in Afghanistan.
• 11/17/2004
  The Washington Foreign Law Society: Afghanistan: Her Elections and Future Remarks by Ambassador Said T. Jawad
  
  Afghanistan’s first presidential election was a historic achievement with phenomenal scenes that Afghans will cherish for years to come.
• 11/16/2004
  International House of Philadelphia: Lunchon PresentationRemarks by Ambassador Said T. Jawad
  
  This Ambassador’s Forum will further enhance the culture and economic ties between Afghanistan and Philadelphia.
• 11/15/2004
  International House of Philadelphia: Symposium on Health Remarks by Ambassador Said T. Jawad
  
  Today, hope, peace, education, and democracy are replacing despair, destruction, and tyranny in Afghanistan. Tangible results of reconstruction and infrastructure building are visible throughout the country.
• 10/21/2006
  Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination: Afghanistan: Her Elections and Future Remarks by Ambassador Said T. Jawad
  
  When 8.4 million Muslims, Afghan men and women, proudly and patiently lined up to vote, they not only demonstrated their courage, competence, and commitment to democracy, but also their determination to stand on their own feet as soon as possible.
• 10/18/2004
  Peace X Peace Post-Election Reception Remarks by Ambassador Said T. Jawad
  
  Success in Afghanistan is helping the world become a safer place. Afghanistan’s transition and successful advance on the path to democracy and state-building will impact the expectations and the aspirations of the people all over the world.
• 10/05/2004
  Afghanistan Business Dialogue Remarks by Ambassador Said T. Jawad
  
  The Embassy of Afghanistan hopes that this dialogue will help facilitate the sharing of information and ideas and will help build a strong coalition of U.S. companies interested in Afghanistan.
• 08/18/2004
  Afghanistan: Promise & Prospective After Election: Talking Points by Ambassador Said T. Jawad
  
  While in the past, success in Afghanistan was set in the context of preventing negative results, such as spread of terrorism and violation of human and gender rights, now, with the upcoming elections, Afghanistan is emerging as model of success, creating positive and exemplary results for the region.
• 08/03/2004
  The Afghan Family Health Book Remarks by Ambassador Said T. Jawad
  
  Afghans were deprived of their basic human rights by foreign invasions, 3 decades of war, violence, and the terror and tyranny of Taliban. Access to basic health services was denied to most Afghans. Consequently, Afghans have a life expectancy that is among the lowest in the world.
• 06/22/2004
  Remarks at Georgetown University By Ambassador Said T. Jawad
  
  I wish to take this opportunity to thank the entire Georgetown University body: the University’s leadership, faculty, students, and alumni for your sincere assistance and commitment to the reconstruction of Afghanistan. Without partnership with the international community and dedicated organizations such as Georgetown, we would be unable to maintain our successes and achieve our remaining goals.
• 05/25/2004
  Beyond Berlin - Afghanistan: Promise & Fullfillment
  
  The fight against terrorism is not just military, it is economic. Investing in Afghanistan's future is good economics. Return on limited international investment in Afghanistan has been tremendously good, as evidenced by an economic growth rate of 30% last year and continuing at 20% this year, according to the World Bank. Afghanistan is emerging as model.
• 05/25/2004
  Private Sector Event: Welcoming Remarks
  
  The eagerness of the international community and the efforts of the Government of Afghanistan to bring economic stability to the country have laid the foundation for successful business development. The country’s agricultural, infrastructure, services, and natural resources sectors present many profitable business opportunities and room for future growth.
• 05/13/2004
  "Celebration of the Arts"
  
  Afghanistan is a mosaic of various beautiful and rich cultures at the cross-roads of Asia and once was a center and hub of learning and commerce, connecting China with the Middle East and India with Europe through the historic Silk Road. Greek, Indian, Persian, Chinese, Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim philosophers, poets, artists, merchants and conquerors traversed Afghanistan and greatly contributed to the emergence of magnificent civilizations and art styles.
• 05/06/2004
  "Osama" Screening for the members of the U.S. Senate
  
  The film “Osama” illustrates a look into Afghanistan’s dark recent past, and the struggles, of millions of Afghans, who suffered under terror, tyranny, and Taliban. It shows how long before September 11, the Afghan people were terrorized and victimized by Talibans and terrorists.
• 04/30/2004
  “Heritage of Afghanistan” - “Saving Bamiyan’s Past for the Future”
  
  No other country in the world has lost so much of its cultural heritage than Afghanistan, especially with the ancient Buddha status in Bamiyan which was destroyed by the Taliban regime. The Association for the Protection of Afghan Archeology’s effort to educate the international community about the values of archaeology in Afghanistan is highly appreciated by the people and the Government of Afghanistan.
• 04/29/2004
  Reception in Honor of Afghan Woman Teachers
  
  Teachers are our hope for Afghanistan’s bright future. Not only do they educate Afghan children and promote gender equality, but every one of them also serves as role models.
• 04/24/2004
  The Afghan Student Organization's Fundraising Event: Landmine
  
  Afghanistan has a severe problem with un-exploded ordnance and land mines. Afghanistan is littered with perhaps nine million landmines. During the Soviet invasion, up to 30 million landmines and the so called butterfly mines were scattered throughout Afghanistan. This means one mine for each Afghan citizen.
• 04/20/2004
  Conference on Political Transition in Afghanistan: The State, Islam and Civil Society - The New Constitution of Afghanistan
  
  On January 4, 2004, President Karzai signed our new Constitution into law, marking another significant milestone, under the Bonn Agreement. Five hundred and two men and women delegates adopted with near unanimous acclamation the most progressive constitution in the region.
• 04/20/2004
  The New Constitution of Afghanistan
  
  Afghanistan has a severe problem with un-exploded ordnance and land mines. Afghanistan is littered with perhaps nine million landmines. During the Soviet invasion, up to 30 million landmines and the so called butterfly mines were scattered throughout Afghanistan. This means one mine for each Afghan citizen.
• 04/13/2004
  At a Conference on Nation-Building: Beyond Afghanistan and Iraq - Keynote Speech
  
  Historically the term nation-building is identified with unifying diverse ethnic groups within a state and welding the different segments of the local populace into a new identity at the national level. For Afghans, nation-building exceeds this definition and includes building a democratic and secure, providing for good governance, implementing the rule of law, fighting corruption, and ensuring individual liberties.
• 03/09/2004
  2004 Winter National Meeting: The New Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Remarks by Ambassador Said T. Jawad
  
  While our common interest in defeating terrorism and strengthening peace and security forms the bedrock of our partnership, our plans to rebuild Afghanistan with a democratic state that guarantees the safety and security of its citizens, protects human rights, and establishes the rule of the law lies at the forefront of our shared objectives.
• 02/20/2004
  USAID Road Recognition Ceremony Ambassador Said T. Jawad
  
  President Karzai made the rehabilitation of roads a first priority with the subsequent plan to construct 1440 miles of a ring road connecting major cities with extension to links to the neighboring countries. Up to two thirds of the people of Afghanistan live within 50 kilometers of the entire ring road.
• 02/19/2004
  "OSAMA" Screening at Georgetown University Remarks by Ambassador Said T. Jawad
  
  “Osama” is based on the true story of a young Afghan girl who was forced to disguise herself as a boy to find a job and help earn money for her family. In one moving scene, life becomes so unbearable for the women that they wished God had never created women at all. Today, Afghan women are proud to be the main force behind rebuilding the country.
• 02/12/2004
  "Osama" Screening at the Motion Picture Association of America Remarks by Ambassador Said T. Jawad
  
  Even though Osama was the first film produced and filmed in Afghanistan since the Taliban took over in 1996, it has received significant international recognition, including the Camera d’Or Special Mention at Cannes, the London Film Festival, and the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Feature.
• 12/04/2003
  Upon the Occasion of the Presentation of His Letter of Credence Remarks by Ambassador Said T. Jawad
  
  I am honored to present you the Letter of Credence, by which His Excellency Hamid Karzai, President of the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan, has appointed me Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States of America, as well as the Letter of Recall of my predecessor.
• 12/04/2003
  Private Sector Event Remarks by Ambassador Said T. Jawad
  
  We are fully committed to an open market economy and see the private sector as the true engine for growth. We have moved aggressively to create the legal and financial framework of an environment conducive to private sector growth.
• 11/10/2003
  Recovery & Reconstruction: Achievements and Opportunities, Remarks by Ambassador Said T. Jawad
  
  Afghans are determined to rebuild their country and President Karzai and the Afghan government are committed to work with the United States of America and the international community to further reinforce peace and stability in Afghanistan. We need your sustained engagement to completely root out terrorism from Afghanistan.
• 01/27/2003
  Afghanistan: Constitution, Democracy & Institution Building
  
  The next milestone for our people is to implement the new constitution and set the stage for free and fair national elections. The challenges that we are facing are enormous.