Afghanistan Peace CampaignA conference titled “Media and Afghanistan’s Climate Diplomacy: Opportunities and Challenges” was held in Kabul, bringing together Islamic Emirate officials, media representatives and journalists.
Participants emphasized the role of the media in raising awareness about climate change, strengthening international cooperation and ensuring Afghanistan’s participation in global climate conferences.
Hujatullah Mujaddidi, head of the Afghan Independent Journalists Union, said: “Under these circumstances, the media have responsibilities beyond daily news coverage. Accurate reporting on environmental issues, raising awareness about the causes and effects of climate change, highlighting the challenges facing affected communities, and presenting scientific and practical solutions are among the media’s key responsibilities.”
Afghanistan is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change.
Speaking at the conference, Matiul Haq Khalis, head of Afghanistan’s National Environmental Protection Agency, said the Afghan people have been severely affected by climate change and called for greater attention to affected communities.
“Ordinary people are suffering the most from climate change, particularly women and children. Afghanistan’s animals and plants are also affected, but the international community is overlooking these issues,” Khalis said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Information and Culture Shir Ahmad Haqqani stressed the importance of preventing deforestation and protecting the country’s natural resources to reduce the effects of climate change.
“The media should play a role in raising public awareness and informing people about the consequences of environmental pollution,” Haqqani said.
Faridullah Mohammadi, head of TOLOnews, said addressing environmental challenges requires collective efforts.
“This is a shared responsibility. No single institution can handle it alone, especially as our population continues to grow. I believe the media can help people understand how to protect their environment,” Mohammadi said.
Participants also called for representatives of the Islamic Emirate to be included in international climate conferences, saying Afghanistan’s participation would help highlight the country’s environmental challenges and attract international support.
Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, urged countries and international organizations to support Afghanistan and keep climate-related issues separate from politics.
“As Afghanistan is among the countries most affected by climate change, countries and international organizations should support the Afghan people and keep climate issues separate from politics,” Fitrat said.
Organized by the Afghan Independent Journalists Union, the conference aimed to strengthen environmental journalism, increase public awareness and secure international support for Afghan media.