Aga Khan Development Network

Agriculture and conservation often seem at odds, but can they coexist? Livestock agriculture remains the leading driver of deforestation worldwide, with forests being cleared for grazing and cropland. Yet, forestry plays a significant economic role. According to a 2020 World Bank report, forest products in the Kyrgyz Forest Fund contributed 11.3 billion soms (roughly $130 million) to the national economy in 2018, accounting for about two percent of GDP. To balance the needs of both agriculturalists and environmentalists, the farmer must be seen as multifaceted: raising cattle, growing crops and planting trees. A holistic approach to agriculture is shaping a more sustainable future for mountain communities. https://lnkd.in/e5YEBTiS

On International Women's Day 2025, we celebrate women from different generations and continents who are overcoming systemic gender barriers. Their roles range from conducting emergency rescues and creating jobs to training surgeons and showcasing national culture. https://lnkd.in/eCpnUPeB #InternationalWomensDay #WomenInLeadership

On March 4, 2025, Prof. José Manuel Dur?o Barroso, former Prime Minister of Portugal and former President of the European Commission, visited the Humayun’s Tomb Complex and its recently inaugurated Humayun's World Heritage Site Museum. The Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) welcomed Mr. Barroso and gave him a tour of the World Heritage Site and its Museum. AKTC has restored the gardens of the tomb and conserved over 60 monuments in the complex. In July 2024, the new museum was inaugurated by His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan to coincide with the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting held in Delhi. The Museum sheds light on seven centuries of Nizamuddin’s history and its tangible and intangible heritage, while also highlighting the architectural innovations introduced at Humayun’s Tomb in the 16th century. #delhi #worldheritagesites #nizamuddin #portugal

At the Jahan-e-Khusrau event at Delhi’s Sunder Nursery yesterday, the Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi recalled the contribution of His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, whose efforts in enhancing Sunder Nursery have been a blessing for art enthusiasts. Sunder Nursery, an initiative of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, hosted the Rumi Foundation’s Jahan-e-Khusrau event - a grand Sufi music festival celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The Festival brings together artists from around the world to celebrate the legacy of Amir Khusrau. Located in the heart of Delhi, Sunder Nursery is part of a cultural heritage project undertaken by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. The objective of the project which comprises the areas of Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti, Sunder Nursery and the World Heritage Site of Humayun’s Tomb, is to improve the quality of life for people in the area, while creating an important new green space for the people of Delhi and beyond.

Congratulations, Class of 2024! With Princess Zahra Aga Khan in attendance, 473 students graduated from the Aga Khan University (AKU) in Pakistan yesterday, as the University paid tribute to its Founder and first Chancellor, His Late Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV. AKU also welcomed His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V as its new Chancellor, and Princess Zahra as its Pro-Chancellor. The Karachi ceremony marked the culmination of a week of graduations across AKU campuses, with Princess Zahra attending celebrations in East Africa – Kampala, Nairobi and Dar es Salaam – where AKU awarded its 5,000th degree or diploma in the region. “It brings me much happiness that my brother, His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan, in accordance with my father’s wishes and the founding charter of AKU, has become Chancellor,” Princess Zahra said. “I am deeply honoured that His Highness has appointed me Pro-Chancellor of AKU, so that, together – in our respective roles – we may continue to sustain and strengthen this remarkable institution, remaining true to our father’s vision for the University.” More at www.aku.edu/news #AKUConvocation #AKU2024

Yesterday, on behalf of the President of the Republic of Mozambique, Margarida Adamugy Talapa, President of the National Assembly, visited the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat in Lisbon to pay her respects following the passing of His Highness Aga Khan IV. During a courtesy meeting with Nazim Ahmad, Diplomatic Representative of the Ismaili Imamat, Talapa – who holds the second-highest position in the Mozambican state – underscored the importance of her country's increasingly solid and deep relationship with the institutions led by His Highness the Aga Khan. The meeting also served to analyse the projects and programmes for which the Ismaili Imamat and Aga Khan Development Network are responsible in Mozambique, and to explore ways to strengthen cooperation between the two parties in the future. https://lnkd.in/eKZ3c4X6

Message from His Highness the Aga Khan The past two weeks have been deeply emotional for the Ismaili community, and for all those around the world who had known my father or been touched by his work.?I am awed by the outpourings of affection and respect for my father and the impact he made during his lifetime.?His is indeed an immense legacy for us all to carry on. On behalf of my family and me, I would like to express our deepest gratitude and admiration for the outstanding way in which our community immediately and seamlessly arranged the events that took place in Lisbon and Aswan.?Beyond the flawless execution of the events themselves, millions of people in over 70 countries were able to participate through video streaming, images, and narration on The Ismaili digital channels. Organising this involved a small number of our staff, and a huge number of volunteers working around the clock, with a clear unifying goal of holding a graceful series of events made widely accessible to the community wherever physically possible.?This was done with sensitivity and care for all those participating. My uncle, siblings, our children, and I see and appreciate all those who were involved – not just the leaders who were dealing directly with my family and me, but every single person who contributed, wherever they are. Our tradition of volunteer service and its effectiveness is a source of enormous strength for our community, and I feel fortunate to be able to call on this for the benefit of my Jamat. Well done to all involved, and especially to the handful of senior leaders who worked day and night to orchestrate all of this, and who provided tremendous support to my family and stable leadership to the community at this critical and difficult time.?Knowing that we can rely on each other at a time like this is a source of the greatest comfort and reassurance. My sincerest thanks again to all those involved in making the events of the last two weeks fitting, simple, and beautiful. Aga Khan

Today, His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan, the 50th Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, met with His Excellency Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of Portugal, at the Palácio de Belém in Lisbon. This was His Highness’s first official meeting with the President following his accession as Imam. During their discussion, the President extended his condolences on the passing of Prince Karim Aga Khan and congratulated His Highness on his accession. His Highness expressed gratitude for the President’s longstanding support for the Ismaili Imamat and his presence at the recent ceremony honouring the late Prince Karim Aga Khan. His Highness and the President reaffirmed the deep and enduring relationship between the Ismaili Imamat, the Aga Khan Development Network and Portugal, grounded in shared values and reflected in innovative agreements. They also expressed their commitment to further strengthening this partnership. His Highness was accompanied by Mr Nazim Ahmad, Diplomatic Representative of the Ismaili Imamat to Portugal. https://lnkd.in/eJ2S-gQ2

Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V was today named the 50th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, following the unsealing of the Will of his late father, Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV, who died in Lisbon, Portugal yesterday, aged 88. Prince Rahim Aga Khan V is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny) through his daughter, Hazrat Bibi Fatima, and the Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law, Hazrat Ali, the fourth Rightly Guided Caliph of Islam and the first Shia Imam. Throughout their 1,400 year history, the Ismailis have been led by a living, hereditary Imam. The Ismailis live in over 35 countries and number approximately 12 to 15 million.

His Highness Prince Karim al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV passed away on 4 February 2025, in Lisbon, Portugal, at the age of 88. He was the 49th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims. He held the position for 67 years after he succeeded his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III, in 1957, at the age of 20. His Highness was a direct descendant of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) through the Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law, Hazrat Ali, who was married to Hazrat Bibi Fatimat-az-Zahra, the Prophet’s daughter and only surviving child. In his role as Imam of the Ismaili community, His Highness dedicated his efforts to the spiritual and material well-being of over 15 million Ismailis in more than 25 countries across Central Asia, the Middle East, South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, Australasia, the Far East, Europe and North America. He was committed to improving the quality of life of vulnerable populations through the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), and was recognised globally as a statesman and humanitarian. https://lnkd.in/dG8XKfXZ