Hedayat Amin-Arsala

Mr. Amin-Arsala passed away on November 1, 2025, at the age of 83. A distinguished economist, Afghan statesman, and diplomat, he made history in 1969 as the first Afghan to join the World Bank through the Young Professionals Program (YPP), where he worked for nearly two decades.

He went on to serve Afghanistan in numerous high-level capacities, including Vice President, Foreign Minister, Finance Minister, Minister of Commerce and Industries, and Senior Minister. His decades of public service and international diplomacy had a lasting impact on Afghanistan and the global community. Beyond his dedication to his country, he mentored and supported hundreds of young Afghans from all over the world, for which he will be remembered fondly.

Mr. Amin-Arsala was predeceased by his siblings Nafisa Sameey, Latifa Kakar, Inayat, and Wahida. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Betsy; his son Salah (wife Dawn, and grandchildren Temor and Roiya and their families); his daughters Leila (grandchildren Aryan and Sofia) and Ayesha (husband Bryan Bates, and granddaughter Amani); his sisters Nazifa Sherzai, Bilqees, and Naheed Khaliqi; and 25 nieces and nephews and their families.