International Conference "Federalism as a Pathway to Peace and Stability in Afghanistan"

The international conference "Federalism as a Path to Peace and Stability in Afghanistan", organized by the Universal Peace Federation and the Federalists Assembly of Afghanistan, successfully concluded on February 28, 2025, in Vienna, Austria. This two-day event brought together politicians, academics, experts, and human rights activists from various countries to discuss practical solutions for achieving lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan.

In the media:

Several political movements in various countries have initiated discussions on Afghanistan’s future political system over the past three years. Most recently, the Federalists Assembly of Afghanistan held a meeting in Vienna, where it introduced its proposed constitution for the post-Taliban political system. The Assembly stated that its proposed constitution consists of 12 chapters and 207 articles, drawing from the experiences of more than 30 federal countries worldwide. According to this constitution, Afghanistan is defined as an Islamic, independent country with a federal parliamentary political system based on the people’s will.

The draft constitution of the Federalist Assembly stipulates that sovereignty belongs to the people and is exercised at two levels—national and state—through free elections or representatives of the people. Under this law, the National Council, proposed by the Assembly, consists of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Members of the Senate are considered equal representatives of the states.

The Federalists Assembly of Afghanistan was established by a group of senior officials from the previous government, members of the National Congress Party of Afghanistan, and several independent political, cultural, and civil figures. The Assembly announced that it had introduced the “Constitution of the Federal Republic of Afghanistan” for the post-Taliban system in collaboration with the Universal Peace Federation. Organizers of the meeting said that over two days, speakers discussed practical and scientific solutions to resolve Afghanistan’s crisis, end violence and injustice, and prevent repeated collapses of political systems through the establishment of a federal system. Federalists Assembly of Afghanistan Unveils New Constitution Proposal for Post-Taliban Afghanistan

The Federalists Assembly of Afghanistan (FAA), in collaboration with the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), has convened a two-day conference in Vienna to explore federalism as a potential governance model for Afghanistan’s future.

The event, titled “Federalism: A Pathway to Social Justice, Peace, and Stability in Afghanistan,” began on Thursday, Feb. 27, and brings together FAA leadership, experts, academics, politicians, and civil society activists to discuss Afghanistan’s political structure and governance framework.

According to a statement released ahead of the gathering, the conference aims to foster dialogue on Afghanistan’s future political structure, examining both internal dynamics and broader regional and global implications. Organizers describe the event as a key opportunity for collaboration among stakeholders working toward long-term peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan’s federalists hold conference in Vienna to discuss political future - Amu TV

Day One – February 27, 2025

The conference commenced with an opening speech by Dr. Ali Baqeri, Representative of the Universal Peace Federation at the United Nations in Vienna, who welcomed the guests and emphasized the importance of establishing a governance system based on justice and federalism to resolve Afghanistan’s crisis. Mr. Peter Haider, President of the Universal Peace Federation in Austria, highlighted the need for international support for Afghanistan to overcome its political turmoil. Dr. Rasul Talib, President of the Federalists Assembly of Afghanistan, introduced federalism as a practical approach to achieving stability and power balance in Afghanistan.

The 1^st panel on “Governance Structure in the Region” featured Mr. Latif Karimi Estalifi, poet and author, Mr. Nasir Ahmad Ahmady, human rights and refugee integration advocate, and Dr. Nilofar Ibrahimi, former Afghan parliamentarian (joining online). The speakers examined the challenges of centralized governance in Afghanistan and compared it with decentralized governance models worldwide.

Speakers of the 2nd panel on “The Impact of Power Conflicts on Peace and Stability in Afghanistan” included Prof. Sarwar Danish, former Vice President of Afghanistan, Dr. Abbas Basir, representative of Karim Khalili and the Hezb-e Wahdat Party of Afghanistan, Dr. Yahia Baiza, senior researcher at the Aga Khan Center, and Dr. Maria Rihl, Representative of the Women’s Federation for World Peace at the UN. They discussed the role of internal and external conflicts in destabilizing Afghanistan. Prof. Sarwar Danish, joining online, stressed the need for a structural shift in governance to mitigate internal tensions.

The 3rd panel on “Federalism as a Strategy for Conflict Mitigation and Democratic Empowerment” included Dr. Hussain Yasa, writer and political analyst, Dr. Akbar Hemat, representative of Jamiat-e-Islami Party of Afghanistan led by Marshal Dostum and the Uzbek community, and Dr. Leo Gabriel, an Austrian anthropologist, journalist, and documentary filmmaker. They examined governance models and the role of federalism in balancing political and social power structures.

Day Two – February 28, 2025

The 4^th panel on “Federalism as a Framework for Conflict Resolution in Afghanistan”, moderated by Mr. Peter Haider, featured Dr. Latif Pedram, leader of the National Congress Party of Afghanistan, Dr. Doris Folsch, philosopher and peace activist, Dr. Afsar Rathor, a former UN-executive and expert in peacebuilding, and Ms. Shahira Karimi, researcher, political analyst, and member of the Federalists Assembly of Afghanistan Leadership Council. The speakers discussed how federalism could contribute to reducing conflicts and fostering sustainable peace in Afghanistan.

One of the key sessions of the conference was the introduction of the draft Federal Constitution of Afghanistan, presented by Prof. Sarwar Danish, Dr. Latif Pedram, Dr. Arash Shahirpoor, and Dr. Akbar Hemat. These experts emphasized that drafting a comprehensive and democratic constitution could lay the foundation for a stable Afghanistan.

Press Conference and Closing Session
The conference concluded with a press conference featuring key Afghan political figures and party leaders. Alongside Dr. Ali Baqeri, Dr. Rasul Talib, and Prof. Sarwar Danish, the following individuals participated:

• Dr. Abbas Basir, representative of Karim Khalili and Hezb-e Wahdat Afghanistan
• Dr. Akbar Hemat, representative of Jamiat-e-Islami Afghanistan, led by Marshal Dostum and the Uzbek community
• Dr. Latif Pedram, leader of the National Congress Party of Afghanistan
• Ms. Forouzan, spokesperson for the Federalists Assembly of Afghanistan

Media Coverage of the Conference

This two-day conference was broadcast live through various media platforms, including Afghanistan International, the Federalists Assembly of Afghanistan website and Amu TV. Additionally, news reports covering the event were featured on BBC and other major international television networks, highlighting its significance in the ongoing political discourse on Afghanistan’s future.

In his closing remarks, Prof. Sarwar Danish expressed gratitude to Dr. Ali Baqeri, Representative of the Universal Peace Federation at the UN in Vienna, for organizing this successful conference. He also thanked Mr. Peter Haider, President of the Universal Peace Federation in Austria, and proposed collaborating on a future conference focused on drafting and reviewing a Federal Constitution for Afghanistan, with participation from global experts and scholars.

Key Takeaways from the Conference

• Federalism was reaffirmed as a viable solution for Afghanistan’s political crisis.
• Proposals were made to hold further discussions on drafting and reviewing a Federal Constitution for Afghanistan.
• Emphasis was placed on the role of the international community in supporting democratic structures in Afghanistan.
• The conference facilitated international dialogue between Afghan politicians, researchers, and activists.

This conference was a successful milestone in fostering constructive discussions about Afghanistan’s political future.

(Report by Dr. Ali Baqeri, Representative of Universal Peace Federation to the UN)

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