Atiqullah Atifmal

Atiqullah Atifmal (Pashto: عتیق الله عاطفمل; born 27 January 1957) is an Afghani politician He is the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to Malaysia. He served as Foreign Minister of Afghanistan(Acting) (2014–2015). He accompanied Afghan President Hamid Karzai on all official visits since the establishment of the Interim Administration as the Chief of Protocol until 2004.

Mr. Atifmal was born to the ethnic tribe of Stanikzai of Logar Province in Afghanistan. His Father's name was Rahmatullah Stanikzai. His Excellency, Mr Atifmal, achieved his bachelor's degree from literature and humanitarian science faculty of Kabul University in (1974–1978). He constantly taught English as a second language at Kabul University in (1979–1981). He also obtained a diploma in Philosophy from Moscow State University and a diploma from Institute of Diplomacy of Afghanistan Foreign Ministry in 1983. Mr. Atifmal has attended the master's degree program in Public Administration in California State University in 2007.

Throughout his career, His Excellency, Mr Atifmal has held many major positions in the Afghan Government. He started as the Second Secretary of Afghan Embassy in Paris, France (1986–1989). Deputy Chief of Protocol of Afghan Foreign Ministry (1991–1994). Chief of Protocol of His Excellency the President Hamid Karzai (2001–2004). Consul General of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in California, United States of America (2004–2008). Deputy Director General of fifth Political Department of the Afghan Foreign Ministry (2008–2009). Director General of parliamentary affairs division of Afghan Foreign Ministry (2009–2011). Consul General of The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (2011–2013). Deputy Foreign Minister for Finance and Administration of The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan(2014-2016).

Afghan Ambassador to Malaysia Presents His Diplomatic Credential

Ambassador and Special Representative of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Atiqullah Atifmal, presented his diplomatic credential to Malaysian King, Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, during an official ceremony.

Prime Minister

H.E. Atiqullah Atifmal the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan paid a courtesy call on Right Honorable the Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato’ Sri Haji Mohammad Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, on 2 February 2016.

Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia

Improving connectivity between Afghanistan and Central Asia was the focus of discussions at the 2014 Economic Forum of the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) held in Ashgabat on 4 December 2014 in the light of the Afghan chairmanship of SPECA during 2014 and the beginning of Afghanistan’s Transformation Decade.

The Chair of the meeting, Atiqullah Atifmal, Deputy Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, emphasized that Afghanistan and Central Asia were linked by shared challenges and opportunities and needed to join forces in order to combat religious extremism, terrorism and organized crime. Regional cooperation, by providing a strong impetus to economic development addresses the root causes of these evils. All SPECA countries, being either land-locked or double land-locked, share an interest in improving regional connectivity.

Iran Foreign Minister meets Afghan president, CEO

Zarif is on a one-day visit to Afghanistan as a gesture of Iran's support for Afghan political unity process. Upon arrival in Kabul, Zarif was welcomed by the caretaker of the Afghan foreign ministry, Atiqullah Atifmal. Zarif and Abdullah attended a joint press conference after their meeting.

Mr Atiqullah Atifmal Met with Mr. Dino Djalal

Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Atiqullah Atifmal met with the Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister M.r Dino Djalal in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Indonesia on September 2, 20014. Mr. Atefmal shed light on the achievements of Afghanistan over the past 14 years in political, economic, social, and cultural areas and thanked Indonesia for its role in different areas such as strengthening and extending business and economic activities with Afghanistan. Mr. Atefmal talked about eight agreements signed and four treaties to be signed soon between Afghanistan and Indonesia.

5th GEF Assembly, Cancun, Mexico

Rapid growth, a warming climate and over-consumption of resources means that today we are at a crucial moment for the future of our planet and time is running out. Business as usual is not an option. That was one of the GEF key messages to delegates convening for the 5th Assembly held in Cancun earlier this year.

"Climate change is not only a challenge to one country or a region. It is a global challenge to all of us in this 21st century, exacerbated by increases in global population, environmental degradation and intensified poverty. We believe that climate change is not only a scientific challenge but it definitely involves economics, social and health issues as well. Therefore, from this podium we would like to call on the United Nations family and all other development partners and world organizations involved in different areas of our environment to commit whatever available resources they could mobilize to address the various challenges posed by climate change, biodiversity, deforestation, desertification and land degradation." (Mr. Atiqullah Atifmal, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Islamic Republic of Afghanistan)

60th Commemoration of Asia-Africa Conference

The Deputy Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, H.E. Atiqullah Atifmal visited Indonesia to participate in the 60th Commemoration of Asia-Africa Conference in Jakarta and Bandung last year. During the visit, Indonesia, Afghanistan, and Norway had produced a Joint Statement on Triangular Cooperation for Afghanistan under the South-South Cooperation that focuses on education, environment and natural resources management, good governance, maritime, energy, democracy and human rights, and gender equality and women empowerment.

Global Cyber Space Conference

Cyberspace unlocks enormous potential gains in wealth and welfare in an ever more connected society. In order to be able to continue to benefit from the internet, it is important to ensure safe ways to do business, protect people from threats to their privacy and from crime related activities, and to promote international stability in the cyber domain. We are facing challenges and dilemmas in the way we secure these goals. The Global Conference on Cyberspace 2015 will bring stakeholders from various backgrounds together to discuss these challenges in a comprehensive manner. Only working together globally and in a multi-stakeholder setting guarantees that the most crucial piece of societal infrastructure of the 21st century will remain free, open and secure. In that way the full potential of the cyber domain can be used.

Organization of Islamic Countries

Atifmal with the foreign minister of Tajikistan, Sirodjidin Aslov (2014).

Atiqullah Atifmal the deputy on administrative affairs at the ministry of foreign affairs called on Tajikistan president Imam Ali Rehman at the sideline of the conference of investment association of Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) in Dushanbe.

President Ghani’s Trip to Turkmenistan

In this meeting that took place in Turkmenistan Presidential Palace, peace and stability in Afghanistan, bilateral cooperation in the areas of economics, trade, power, transit, cultural and human rights, and regional and global issues were the topics discussed between the leaders of the two countries.

Diplomatic Credentials

United States of America

U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan P. Michael McKinley presented his diplomatic credentials to Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani at a ceremony today at the Presidential Palace. Ambassador McKinley previously served as Deputy Ambassador to Afghanistan.

Russia

During a formal ceremony where Atiqullah Atefmal, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs was also present, President Ghani accepted the diplomatic credentials of Alexander Mantytskiy, the new Russia Ambassador to Afghanistan.

The ceremony that took place in Arg was followed by a meeting in which enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries in the areas of economy, trade, cultural, education, and combating narcotics, was discussed.

Commonwealth of Australia

Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, during an official ceremony accepted diplomatic credentials of Matt Anderson, the new Australian Ambassador to Afghanistan.

The ceremony that took place in Arg, was followed by a meeting where Ambassador Anderson reiterated his country’s enduring support to Afghanistan and said that Australia gives special attention to Afghanistan.

Australia

His Excellency, Mr. Atifmal, was awarded a Medal of Excellence Services in 2002 and a Certificate of appreciation in 2004, 2012 and 2013 from the Government of The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

Atifmal is married and has five children: four sons and one daughter.