High-Level Virtual International Conference to Address Afghanistan’s Forced Displacement and Path to Peace on August 11

Displaced International and Arizona State University LDNS Lab convene global experts on the fourth anniversary of the Taliban takeover

Washington, D.C., August 7, 2025 — On the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan, Displaced International (DI), in partnership with the Arizona State University Leadership, Diplomacy and National Security Lab (ASU LDNS Lab), will host a pivotal virtual international conference titled “Afghanistan Four Years On: Forced Displacement, Root Causes, and the Path to Peace.” The event is scheduled for August 11, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM Eastern Time (4:00 PM to 6:30 PM Central European Time) via Zoom.

With over 8.2 million Afghans forcibly displaced worldwide—the third-largest refugee population globally—and escalating deportations from neighboring Iran and Pakistan, Afghanistan remains at the center of one of today’s most pressing humanitarian and political crises. The conference will bring together leading Afghan and international voices to dissect the complex drivers behind forced displacement, the institutionalization of gender apartheid, and the ongoing political illegitimacy of Taliban rule.

Conference Highlights:

• Opening Remarks by:

1. Lieutenant General Benjamin Freakley (Ret.), Co-Founder of ASU LDNS Lab & Professor of Practice
2. Ambassador Ashraf Haidari, Founder & President of Displaced International (DI)
3. Mr. Naveed Noormal, DI Senior Fellow, MC

• Panel I: Forced Displacement and Root Causes in Afghanistan: Moderated by Lieutenant General Benjamin Freakley (Ret.), this session will explore geopolitical rivalries, systemic repression, and failures by regional and international actors. Panelists include:

1. H.E. Mohammed Haneef Atmar, Former Foreign Minister of Afghanistan
2. Ambassador Shukria Barakzai, Former Afghan Parliamentarian and Diplomat
3. Mr. Ali Maisam Nazary, Head of Foreign Relations, National Resistance Front
4. Ms. Suhasini Haidar, Diplomatic Editor, The Hindu
5. Professor William Maley, DI Global Advisory Council Member; Emeritus Professor of Diplomacy, Australian National University

• Panel II: Conflict Resolution, Peace Processes & Pathways to Sustainable Peace: Moderated by Ambassador Ashraf Haidari, this panel focuses on political solutions, inclusive governance, and regional cooperation to end displacement. Panelists include:

1. Ms. Hasina Jalal, DI Global Advisory Council Member and Women’s Rights Advocate
2. Ms. Annie Pforzheimer, Former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia
3. Mr. Daoud Naji, Head of Political Committee, Afghanistan Freedom Front
4. Honorable Afrasiab Khattak, DI Global Advisory Council Member and Former Senator of Pakistan
5. Mr. Ahmad Shuja Jamal, DI Global Advisory Council Member; Security Analyst and Former Afghan National Security Official

The conference agenda also features moderated audience Q&A and closing remarks summarizing actionable insights for policymakers, diplomats, UN agencies, academics, and media.

Why Attend?

Four years of Taliban rule have precipitated a humanitarian disaster largely ignored by the international community. Millions remain displaced with limited protection and shrinking prospects for safe return. This conference offers a timely platform to understand the root causes of forced displacement and to discuss rights-based, pragmatic pathways toward an inclusive peace—anchored in renewed international leadership, including the United Nations and the United States.

Join the Conversation

Access the conference via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89963593334?pwd=tkZdJbLSum6Tb4gfM0qK9nbxzfXC13.1

About the Organizers

Displaced International (DI) is a global nonprofit advancing protection, dignity, and durable solutions for forcibly displaced populations worldwide, led by refugees, diplomats, and policy experts. Its core programs include advocacy, emergency assistance, complementary migration pathways, and integration support.

The ASU Leadership, Diplomacy and National Security Lab cultivates innovative leadership and policy solutions at the nexus of diplomacy, defense, and democracy. It focuses on strategic dialogues and training the next generation of global leaders.

This conference promises to be an essential forum for those seeking to understand and address Afghanistan’s ongoing crisis with urgency and informed action. Join global leaders, experts, and advocates as they chart a path toward peace and protection for millions.

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