Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a rapidly transforming country and continues to face significant challenges that require improvements in security, the economy, governance, and education. The past year saw a number of steps forward, including commitments from the international community at the Brussels Conference, positive developments in education, and declining levels of migration, but more support is needed to create a stable society. The Asia Foundation supports Afghan citizens through programs and partnerships focused on improving rule of law, access to and quality of education, women’s rights and empowerment, regional cooperation, and security.

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Country overview

Abdullah Ahmadzai
Country Representative

More Afghanistan staff »

Contact

The Asia Foundation – Afghanistan

Mailing Address:
P.O Box 175
Kabul – Afghanistan

Tel: +93 (0) 75 202 3558
Email: afghanistan.general@asiafoundation.org

Building Foreign Affairs Capacity

Over the past decade, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has increased its ability to manage relations with its neighbors and other countries. This includes strengthening the important role of the Ministry’s Regional Cooperation Directorate, with Foundation support. The Directorate represents the Afghan government in regional forums through the 14-member country “Heart of Asia” dialogue, and our efforts have bolstered the ability of the Directorate’s efforts to reduce tensions and improve relations in the area. Through the development of a research study on security cooperation, we worked with the Ministry to develop policy based on needs and trends. Finally, we supported more than 100 Afghan diplomats to develop English-language skills, an effort that took on special urgency after the president of Afghanistan issued a decree that diplomats must pass an English proficiency test to work abroad.

NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN

Center for Strategic and International Studies Cites Afghan Survey
September 11, 2017
Media Coverage
The Diplomat: Troop Levels Aren’t Afghanistan’s Problem. An Increasingly Illegitimate Government Is.
August 7, 2017
Media Coverage

Can Technology Change the Education Landscape in Afghanistan?

By Claire Anderson
July 26, 2017
Blog
The Washington Post: For Afghan Girls’ Robotics Team, U.S. Visa Denial Was Last of Many Hurdles
July 11, 2017
Media Coverage

Improving Access to Information

Our Kabul office works across Afghanistan to improve the access and quality of education. 77 schools and community libraries received library management training and 253 women from 32 provinces were awarded scholarships to private universities.

Afghanistan in 2016: A Survey of the Afghan People

The 2016 Survey of the Afghan People polled 12,658 Afghan respondents from 16 ethnic groups across all 34 provinces, including insecure and physically challenging environments. The annual survey is the longest-running and broadest nationwide survey of Afghan attitudes and opinions. Since 2004, the Survey has gathered the opinions of more than 87,000 Afghan men and women, providing a unique longitudinal portrait of evolving public perceptions of security, the economy, governance and government services, elections, media, women’s issues, and migration.