Ehssanullah Aghbar, an Icon of Change in Afghanistan

Icons of Change International Awards 2025
Ehssanullah Aghbar
President, Peace & Sport Council of Afghanistan (Germany)
Former President, Peace & Sport Council of Afghanistan (Afghanistan)
International Consultant, IOM – UN Migration (Qatar)
Training and Development Officer, ARG Presidential Information Coordination Center (Afghanistan)
Former News Anchor, Ariana News
Former News Anchor, Radio Television Afghanistan
Sustainable Development Goal 16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Changemaker for Peacebuilding, Sport Diplomacy, and Inclusive Societies (Afghanistan)
---
For Ehssanullah Aghbar, peace is not simply the absence of war—it is the presence of opportunity, dignity, and unity. As the President of the Peace & Sport Council of Afghanistan, he has dedicated over a decade to advancing reconciliation and resilience by harnessing the universal language of sport. His vision is clear sport can be more than competition; it can be a tool for social transformation, conflict resolution, and community empowerment.
From Kabul to international platforms, Ehssanullah has pioneered initiatives that bring together youth, athletes, and communities divided by conflict, creating safe spaces where cooperation triumphs over division. Under his leadership, the Council has coordinated peace-building projects that celebrate cultural diversity, promote education, and empower young people to become architects of a more inclusive society. His work reflects the belief that sport has the power to unite where politics and policies often fall short.
His impact, however, extends beyond sport. At the International Organization for Migration (IOM), he contributed to addressing the challenges of migration, displacement, and humanitarian crises, bringing both technical insight and human empathy to one of the most pressing issues of our time. Earlier in his career at the ARG Presidential Information Coordination Center, he played a pivotal role in intelligence reporting and training development, strengthening the foundations of governance and security in Afghanistan during years of uncertainty.
Ehssanullah also carries the voice of a communicator. As a news anchor with Ariana News and Radio Television Afghanistan, he connected citizens with reliable information, using media as a bridge between institutions and people. This breadth of experience—spanning peacebuilding, migration, governance, and journalism—gives him a unique perspective on how societies heal and how institutions earn trust.
What distinguishes him is not only his professional versatility but his unwavering conviction that peace must be practical, lived, and shared. Whether through grassroots sports initiatives, international diplomacy, or institutional reform, Ehssanullah has consistently demonstrated that lasting peace is built from the ground up, by empowering communities and engaging the next generation.