An Afghan delegation headed by Ambassador Omar Samad attends the opening of 11 th United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Montreal. More than 10,000 experts from 180 countries are in Montreal in the largest such gathering as part of the Framework Convention on Climate Control since the Kyoto protocol was signed in 1997 by 140 nations. Afghanistan is a signatory to the Framework Convention on Climate Control since 1992. The Convention was ratified by Afghanistan in 2002.

A team of high-ranking Canadian officials from Foreign Affairs, National Defence and CIDA, speak at a gathering of Afghan-Canadian community representatives in Toronto. At the event, organized in collaboration with the Embassy of Afghanistan, the two sides exchange information and views on developments in Afghanistan and Canada’s role.

The Afghan envoy attends the two-day long Diplomatic Forum sponsored by foreign Affairs Canada in Ottawa. The events include briefings by and discussions with federal ministers and high-ranking Government officials on a variety of policy issues.

The Ambassador of Afghanistan to Canada, Omar Samad, meets with representatives of the Afghan community in British Columbia, and briefs them on developments in Afghanistan, as well as Canada’s role in the country’s reconstruction, security sector, and overall democratization process. Ambassador Samad also takes questions from the large audience of Afghans gathered in an auditorium of the University of British Columbia in downtown Vancouver. He also meets with the local Afghan media and the editorial board of the Vancouver Sun.

Suite a une invitation, M. M Masstan, Conseiller de l’Ambassade a participe a l’inauguration de la nouvelle édifice de l’Ecole Secondaire Publique de Deslauriers de la ville de Ottawa. L’Ecole Secondaire Deslauriers a l’avantage exceptionnel d’avoir des élèves venant de 60 pays différents, notamment quelques jeunes afghans. De nombreuses responsables du Ministère de l’Education, quelques représentants du corps diplomatiques et plus de 500 élèves ont été présente a cette cérémonie.

At the invitation of Canadian and US Foundations, Ambassador Samad speaks on Afghanistan at the annual meeting of the Peace and Security Funder’s Group n Seattle, WA.

Mehrabodin MASSTAN, Conseiller de l’Ambassade a assisté à la 11eme cérémonie de Célébrations de la Eid ul Fitr, organise par « l’Association des Musulmans Progressistes du Canada », qui s’est tenue dans les Salons du Parlement a Ottawa.

A cette occasion plus de 300 invites, représentants les associations musulmans, les mosquées, le corps diplomatiques de pays Musulmans, les medias ainsi que les personnalités Canadiens ont été présent.

Amb. Samad and Mrs. Samad attend a luncheon on Parliament Hill hosted by Minister of National Defence, Hon. Bill Graham, with the participation of Hon. Aileen Carroll, Minister of International Cooperation and Hon. Flora MacDonald.

The Ambassador and Mrs. Samad attend a graduation performance at the Mushfiq Arts Center in Ottawa. Amb. Samad speaks about the importance of performing arts in South Asia as well as Afghanistan’s contributions and challenges experienced throughout history. He also congratulates Master Mushfiq Hashemi for his efforts as an accomplished artist and director of the music school.

The Afghan envoy participates in the National Remembrance Day ceremonies held at the National War Memorial in Ottawa. Governor-general Michaëlle Jean and Prime Minister Paul Martin, officials and members of the diplomatic corps lay wreaths honoring veterans.

Amb. Samad and Mrs. Samad host the creators of the Afghan Mobile Mini Circus for Children (www.afghanmmcc.org) at the Chancery. MMCC is a “Child Protection” project supporting the circus, which is a cultural, educational, entertainment and participative project. The MMCC started performing in Kabul in 2002 and continues to visit other cities and provinces.

M. Mehrabodin Masstan, Conseiller de l’Ambassade a participe la Réception organisée à l’occasion 30eme anniversaire de l’indépendance et la Fête Nationale de Angola qui s’est tenue dans une des salle de l’Hôtel Westin a Ottawa.

Ambassador Samad hosts a working luncheon for a delegation from Aga Khan Foundation Canada, headed by Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Khalil Shariff, to discuss, among other issues, the upcoming event organized by AKFC on Afghanistan in early December in Ottawa.

Ambassador Samad hosts a working luncheon for a team from Foreign Affairs Canada, headed by Mr. James Fox, Director General, South and East Asia Division.

Fundraising for De-mining in Afghanistan

The Afghan Ambassador and Mrs. Samad attend a charity event named "Night of a Thousand Dinners" organized by Ms. Pamela Siekierski, proprietor of Ottawa’s Physical Therapy Institute to raise landmine awareness and funds for ongoing landmine prevention and demining efforts in Afghanistan. Amb. Samad spoke about the history of landmines in Afghanistan, their paralyzing effects on the Afghan people, children as well as the reconstruction process, and the fact that 80 countries around the world still suffer from the horrors of landmines. Every 30 minutes, a person is maimed by a landmine explosion. Footage from demining efforts in Afghanistan was showed, as well as items sold to raise money for this cause. Afghan food was served and Afghan music was provided by Afghan artist Mushfiq Hashimi and his band from Mushfiq Arts Company. All monies raised went to the Canadian Landmine Foundation which supports demining training and efforts in Afghanistan. 

Ambassador Samad, accompanied by Embassy Counsellor Mr. M. Masstan and Executive Assistant Mr. A. Ahmadi, attend Eid ul Fitr prayers at a Toronto center sponsored by the Afghan Association of Ontario. The Ambassador also spoke to the large congregation of Afghans conveying Eid messages from H.M. Mohammad Zahir, Father of the Nation, and H.E. President Hamid Karzai on the occasion. Subsequently he met with other members and leaders of the community who had gathered at the Omat-e Nabawi Mosque and congratulated all Afghans and Muslims celebrating Eid and the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

EID MUBARAK