Mogadishu, 20 February 2025 – UN Assistant Secretary General and UNDP Regional Director for Arab States, Abdallah Al Dardari, has concluded a three-day mission to Somalia, reaffirming UNDP’s commitment to supporting the country’s evolving development, stability, and governance priorities, taking into account its recent successes, including accession to the East African Community, lifting of the US arms embargo, and completion of the High Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief initiative.

During his visit, Al Dardari met with senior officials from the Federal Government of Somalia, including the Ministers of Finance, Planning, Interior, Justice, Environment and Climate Change, and Energy and Water Resources. Discussions focused on strengthening partnerships to advance economic development, enhance governance and justice sector reforms, and drive climate resilience efforts. He also engaged with UN agencies, civil society organizations, media and private sector representatives to explore opportunities for collaboration.

A key highlight of the mission was two high-level roundtable dialogues on climate change, renewable energy, water resource management, disaster risk management and economic development, which convened government officials, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Minister of Energy and Water Resources, Commissioner of Somalia Disaster Management Agency, experts, civil society, academia, and private sector leaders to explore solutions for sustainable growth and resilience-building in Somalia. The discussions identified key partnership opportunities between the government, private sector and UNDP to advance the priorities outlined in Somalia’s National Transformation Plan 2025-2033, a newly adopted strategic blueprint for inclusive growth, resilience, and sustainable development.

Reflecting on the visit, Al Dardari said: “Somalia is making remarkable progress in strengthening governance, economic growth, and climate adaptation. UNDP remains committed to the people and Government of Somalia in expanding our strategic partnerships and providing support to attract investment and accelerate sustainable economic development without adverse environmental impact.” He emphasized that Somalia stands at a critical juncture, where public-private partnerships have the potential to not only drive economic growth but also enhance the country’s stability and global image.

The discussions during the visit also underscored the importance of sustained international cooperation to support Somalia’s transition, including for long-term peacebuilding, institutional capacity-building, and inclusive economic growth. Al Dardari emphasized the need for increased investment in long-term recovery and resilience-building to address the root causes of the crisis and reduce Somalia’s reliance on humanitarian aid, while also outlining UNDP’s ongoing process to align its new Country Programme Document (2026-2030) with the National Transformation Plan and upcoming UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Somalia.

UNDP will continue working with the UN Country Team to see through the successful transition of the UN Political mission in Somalia to drive impactful and sustainable progress, ensuring that Somalia remains on a path toward peace, stability, and prosperity.

Thursday 20, Feb 2025 {HMC} The Minister of Ports and Maritime Transport, Mr. Mahmoud Adan Geesood, held a high-level meeting with Ambassador Souef Mohamed El-Amine, the Special Representative of the African Union Commission and Head of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AUSSM), to discuss maritime security and the reconstruction of Somalia’s ports.

The meeting, which took place at the Minister’s office in Mogadishu, focused on the role of the AUSSM mission in Somalia, the challenges of securing the country’s maritime domain, and the ongoing efforts to rebuild and develop Somalia’s port infrastructure.

Minister Geesood expressed his gratitude to the African Union for its unwavering support in addressing Somalia’s maritime and port-related challenges.

He emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between the Ministry of Ports and Maritime Transport and the African Union to advance the country’s maritime sector.

“The African Union has played a critical role in supporting Somalia’s efforts to enhance maritime security and develop its ports.

We value this partnership and look forward to strengthening our cooperation to achieve our shared goals,” said Minister Geesood.

Ambassador Souef Mohamed El-Amine praised the Ministry for its dedication to improving Somalia’s maritime infrastructure and security.

He reaffirmed the African Union’s commitment to supporting Somalia in achieving its development objectives.

“The African Union remains steadfast in its support for Somalia’s reconstruction and development.

We will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Ports and Maritime Transport to ensure the successful implementation of initiatives aimed at enhancing maritime security and port development,” said Ambassador El-Amine.

The discussions also highlighted the strategic importance of Somalia’s ports in boosting the country’s economy and facilitating regional trade.

Both parties agreed on the need for sustained efforts to modernize port facilities, improve security measures, and promote sustainable development in the maritime sector.

Thursday 20, Feb 2025 {HMC} The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Mr. Hassan Moallim Mahmoud, alongside the Minister of State for the Ministry, Ambassador Ilyas Sheikh Omar, today welcomed a high-level United Nations delegation led by Dr. Abdallah Al Dardari, the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Head of the Arab States for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The meeting, held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Mogadishu, was also attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Faisal Aden, and other senior officials. Discussions centered on enhancing cooperation between Somalia and the UN, with a particular focus on advancing the country’s justice system, promoting the rule of law, and supporting economic development.

During the talks, Minister Hassan Moallim Mahmoud emphasized the critical role of a robust justice system in Somalia’s state-building efforts. “The development of our justice system and the promotion of the rule of law are fundamental to achieving lasting peace, stability, and economic growth. We are grateful for the UN’s continued support in these areas,” he said.

The meeting also addressed the Ministry’s priorities, including completing the legislative process, improving the judicial structure, and enhancing the capacity of justice institutions. These efforts are seen as vital to ensuring access to justice for all Somali citizens and strengthening governance across the country.

Dr. Abdallah Al Dardari commended the Somali government for its commitment to reforming the justice sector and reaffirmed the UN’s support for these initiatives. “The UNDP remains dedicated to supporting Somalia in its efforts to rebuild and develop its justice system. We will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to achieve these goals,” he stated.

The discussions highlighted the importance of international collaboration in addressing Somalia’s challenges and advancing its development agenda. The UN’s support has been instrumental in rebuilding institutions, promoting human rights, and fostering economic recovery in the country.

In his closing remarks, Minister Hassan Moallim Mahmoud expressed his gratitude to the United Nations, particularly the UNDP, for its support. The meeting showed the shared commitment of Somalia and the United Nations to strengthening the rule of law.

Thursday 20, Feb 2025 {HMC} The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has officially opened a new registration center in Dherkeenley district, Banadir region, as part of its nationwide effort to implement the National Identification System. The inauguration ceremony was attended by high-ranking government officials, marking a significant step forward in Somalia’s push to register all its citizens.

The event was graced by the presence of His Excellency Mohamed Amiir, the Governor of Banadir Region and Mayor of Mogadishu, who officially inaugurated the center. Also in attendance were former Prime Minister His Excellency Ali Mohamed Geeddi, members of the Federal Parliament, NIRA Director Abdiweli Ali Cabdulle (Timacadde), Dherkeenley District Chairman, and other distinguished guests.

In his remarks, Governor Mohamed Amiir emphasized the importance of the National Identification System in strengthening governance, security, and service delivery across the country. “This new center is a testament to our commitment to ensuring that every Somali citizen is registered and recognized. A national ID system is crucial for building a modern state and fostering inclusive development,” he said.

NIRA Director Abdiweli Ali Cabdulle (Timacadde) highlighted the organization’s efforts to expand its services to all districts in Mogadishu and beyond. “The opening of this center in Dherkeenley is a milestone in our mission to provide every Somali citizen with a national ID. We are working tirelessly to ensure that no one is left behind,” he stated.

The National Identification System is a cornerstone of Somalia’s state-building efforts, enabling citizens to access public services, participate in elections, and engage in formal economic activities. The new center in Dherkeenley will provide residents with a convenient location to register for their national IDs, bringing the government closer to the people.

Former Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Geeddi praised NIRA’s progress and urged citizens to take advantage of the registration services. “A national ID is not just a document; it is a symbol of our identity and unity as a nation. I encourage everyone to register and contribute to the development of our country,” he said.

The inauguration of the Dherkeenley center is part of NIRA’s broader strategy to establish registration facilities across all districts in Mogadishu and eventually throughout Somalia. This initiative aligns with the federal government’s vision of creating a comprehensive and inclusive identification system that supports national development and security.

As NIRA continues its rollout, the agency has called on citizens to actively participate in the registration process, emphasizing the importance of national IDs in shaping Somalia’s future.