BRUSSELS – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has been awarded Afghanistan’s highest civilian honor.

President Ashraf Ghani presented Mr. Ban with the State Order of Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan, yesterday in Brussels. The medal is bestowed by the Afghan Government to Afghan nationals and non-Afghans in appreciation of their services.

The ceremony, at which Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah was also present, took place on the margins of the Brussels Conference on Afghanistan.   

Representatives of more than 70 countries, and 20 international organizations and agencies are taking part in the high-level conference at which the Government of Afghanistan will set out its vision and track record on reform, and the international community will signal sustained political and financial support to Afghan peace, state-building and development.