KABUL: Afghanistan and Indonesia have been enhancing during the last three years of National Unity Government (NUG), the visit of president Ghani to Indonesia and that of a team of delegates form High Peace Council of Afghanistan to the country as well as visit of the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs to Kabul and, eventually, this time visit of Indonesian President to Afghanistan, altogether imply that the political ties of both countries are significantly strengthening and expanding rapidly. After visiting Indonesia both, the president and the High Peace Council of Afghanistan, have always emphasized that the country’s experiences, facilities and cooperation are key to Afghanistan’s peace creation, political stability and economic development. Considering the promise of Indonesia for taking part in peace building process of Afghanistan as well as the recent visit of the country’s president to Afghanistan, people in Afghanistan are hopefully waiting to see how Indonesia with its relevant experiencesfacilitate the peace building and sustainably in Afghanistan. Indonesia,with more than 250 million populations, is located in eastern Asia which is the fourth most populous country in the world and the first most populous countryin the Islamic world. It is said that more than 700 languages are spoken in Indonesia, and numerous tribes and ethnicities practicing six different religions live equally and peacefully in the country. Indonesia’s diversity is spread in more than 17,000 islands and thirty-three provinces. Indonesia is also the top economic power in the South East Asia. Indonesia is one of the countries that have been attacked several times by colonialism, separatism, and many others. It had been struggling with widespread poverty and corruption. The country has declared its independence in1945, which was finally recognized as independent country in 1949. Having a powerful economy with its ethnic diversity who live peacefullydespite their distinct orientation, as well as itsmoderate ideologies are the key factors which have led the country to a better position among the international communities. According to international evaluating institutes such as the IMF, the World Bank, Goldman Sachs, the Economist and others, Indonesia is ranked as a potential top-ranking economy of the world in the near future.And according to World Bank, by 2025, the country will be among the six emerging economies of the world, which will create half of global economic growth. Another implication to this change is Indonesia’s membership in Group 20 (which has had significant effects beyond its borders). In addition the Group 7 has invited Indonesia –representing Southeast Asia with its economic potential -to cooperate in managing the world economy. According to Goldman Sachs, Indonesian GDP will reach $ 7 trillion in 2050, reaching the seventh rank inthe world. Furthermore the country will be elevated from 14th rank in 2006 to 6th in 2050 based on GDP growth rate, while, its GDP per capita will reach $ 22,395 in 2050. Indonesia’s successes and achievements in creating a moderate society withdifferent ethnic groups living peacefully despite having different languages and religionsportrays an image which illustrate that ‘ Indonesia is a country with hundreds of subcultures whilein the Middle East there are 30 countries with a single culture. The religious peacefulness and religious nationalism is very nicely stated in the speeches of Minister of Religious Affairs of the government ‘We are Indonesians who are accidently Muslims, not just Muslims who are by chance Indonesians, he said. Providing religious education beyond the cultivation of extremism;tolerating non-Islamic thoughts and beliefs along with the dominant Islamic culture; presenting a unique pattern of religious harmony and saying no to religious warfare, are the lessons that this country has for offering to Islamic world. Indonesia’s recent eras had a lot of similarities with Afghanistan such asthe history of occupation by foreign countries, civil wars, widespread and organized corruption, rich natural resources and widespread poverty, separatism, regional interventions, and so on.
But today, Indonesia is one of the most successful countries in the world and among Islamic countries, which is growing rapidly and becoming a role model.
1. The fight against administrative corruption: OnceIndonesia was one of the most corrupt countries in the world, widespread bribery was prevalent in various parts of the country, however, at the moment the country has succeeded in substantially restoring its global reputation by its achievements in struggling against administrative corruption that achieved a better position in the world ranking for Indonesia. Afghanistan can benefit from experience and lessons learnt of Indonesia in its anti-corruption programs.
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According to a World Bank report, Afghanistan’s economy has grown by 2.9% in 2019 and is expected to reach 3.3%...