The first National Labor Conference, attended by high-ranking officials of the Islamic Emirate, the private sector, global organizations, and university professors, began today (Tuesday, July 23) in Kabul.

Organized by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, the conference aims to combat poverty and unemployment while creating job opportunities nationwide.

Several acting ministers also presented their plans for creating job opportunities and enhancing coordination between government agencies and domestic and international organizations at the conference.

Abdul Manan Omari, acting Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, stated that currently, more than one million people are employed within the Islamic Emirate's administration.

"Despite the cruel financial restrictions imposed on Afghanistan, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan considers combating unemployment one of its primary responsibilities," said Abdul Manan Omari.

“To further support the MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) the ILO has also established partnerships with the UN agencies, funds and programs including UNDP, UN Women, and UNHCR. The continued UN support to the MSMEs has created more than one million jobs in the last two years, more than 20,000 received technical or financial support in 2023 that helped them to create more jobs,” said Ramin Behzad, a representative of the International Labor Organization in Kabul.

Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, the political deputy Prime Minister, reiterated that the Islamic Emirate's policy is economy-centered and that they pursue this policy by expanding relations with neighboring, regional, and global countries.

Mawlavi Abdul Kabir said: "Despite economic restrictions and the freezing of Afghanistan's foreign assets, the Islamic Emirate has continuously sought solutions to unemployment since its victory."

Noorul Haq Anwar, Director General of Administrative Affairs, said at the conference: "Sometimes governments do things that are superficial and not based on reality, just to deceive the people; however, the Islamic Emirate's steps so far have been genuine."

Acting ministers of Foreign Affairs, Economy, Higher Education, Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Industry and Commerce, Mines and Petroleum, as well as the Chamber of Commerce and Investment, emphasized the continuation of efforts to reduce poverty and unemployment and create job opportunities in the country.

Nooruddin Azizi, acting Minister of Industry and Commerce, stressed that they have a five-year plan to create job opportunities for more than 500,000 people in the country.

The Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce said about this plan: "If the mentioned programs are implemented, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in cooperation with the private sector, will provide employment opportunities for more than 500,000 compatriots in the next five years."

Hedayatullah Badri, acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum, said: "Currently, the mining sector provides direct and indirect job opportunities for forty thousand people, and we are making final efforts to create investment opportunities for domestic and foreign investors."

The National Labor Conference will continue for two days, during which the Emirate's administration, the private sector, international organizations, and university professors will examine the causes of unemployment and explore practical solutions to reduce poverty and create job opportunities.