The 12th International Conference of Silk Road Mayors with the collaboration of Kabul Municipality
The 12th Meeting of Silk Road Mayors
The 12th meeting of the Silk Road Mayors was held on the morning of Friday, 28th of Mizan (October) this year, at the Arg Palace with a speech delivered by Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
In his address, the President spoke about the importance of the Silk Road and told the mayors of the Silk Road cities that their visit to Afghanistan sends a message of stability and confidence to the citizens and increases optimism about a prosperous future.
Referring to Asia’s historic status, the President expressed hope that through joint regional efforts, within the next 20 years, the Asian civilization will transform from an idea into an economic continent.
President Ghani added that by reviving the Silk and Lapis Lazuli routes as communication networks, developmental and economic mobility among the regional countries will increase. He emphasized that Afghanistan has never been isolated but has always maintained connections with other countries.
The President stressed the need to establish citizen-centered networks so that people see themselves reflected in urban planning and development. Highlighting Afghanistan’s role as the crossroads of Asia, he stated that creating a regional crossroads is not a threat to other crossroads but rather an opportunity.
President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani stated that 60% of Afghanistan’s rural population, due to past migrations, has been connected with the world, and Afghanistan’s civilizational position and geographic importance must be restored.
He highlighted the importance of successful planning, stating that urban plans should change according to available resources and contextual understanding, with the ultimate goal being to provide a prosperous life for citizens.
The President called the establishment of a regional network of mayors essential for exchanging experiences and emphasized the formation of a national mayors’ network, stating that mayors represent the voice of the citizens and that this network should be cohesive to enable sharing of perspectives.
President Ghani expressed hope that the Silk Road meetings would be held on an international scale, describing such dialogues as useful for expanding transit cooperation and exchanging mayors’ viewpoints.
He underlined the importance of urban mobility for economic and developmental growth and stated that the role of citizens, institutions, and the private sector in these processes is crucial. He added that short-term, medium-term, and long-term plans would be presented at the conclusion of the Silk Road Mayors meeting.
At the meeting, Dr. Mohammad Homayoun Qayoumi, Senior Advisor to the President on Infrastructure, Syed Saadat Mansoor Naderi, Minister of Urban Development, Professor Abdullah Habib Zai, Acting Mayor of Kabul, and Dr. Kwak Young Hoon, President of the World Citizens Assembly, each delivered speeches.
Speakers discussed the historical, economic, and cultural importance of the Silk Road and Afghanistan’s strategic role along this route, emphasizing the Silk Road’s significance in strengthening transit cooperation, trade, and regional development.
It is worth noting that the Acting Mayor of Kabul, who participated in the 11th Silk Road meeting held last year in Qazvin, Iran, was part of the event where Kabul was chosen as the host city for the 12th meeting. This meeting was held over two days in Kabul, recognizing Kabul as the connecting point of this historic route—the Silk Road.
