On Wednesday this week, Azerbaijan approved the agreement with Somalia on education cooperation. It also voted to formalize several agreements to enhance bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors with the East African nation.
Education Cooperation
On February 12, 2025, during Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s official visit to Baku, Azerbaijan and Somalia signed an “Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Education.” This agreement aims to foster educational exchanges and collaboration between the two nations. Subsequently, on April 2, 2025, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev ratified this agreement, instructing the Ministry of Science and Education to implement its provisions and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to notify the Somali government upon completion of internal procedures.
Public Service Collaboration
In the realm of public service, Ulvi Mehdiyev, Chairman of Azerbaijan’s State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations, and Abdihakim Mohamed Yusuf, Chief of Staff to the Somali President, exchanged a memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation in public service delivery.
Energy Sector Partnerships
Azerbaijan’s Minister of Energy, Parviz Shahbazov, and Somalia’s Minister of Energy and Water Resources, Abdullahi Bidhan Warsame, signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on green energy initiatives. Additionally, on February 27, 2025, Shahbazov met with Somalia’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Dahir Shire Mohamed, resulting in another memorandum focusing on cooperation in the oil and gas sector. This agreement encompasses experience exchange, participation in specialized events, and organization of joint seminars and forums to advance collaboration in oil and gas.
Defense and Security Agreements
Further strengthening bilateral ties, Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov and Somali Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur signed an agreement to enhance cooperation in defense and the defense industry.
These agreements signify a concerted effort by Azerbaijan and Somalia to deepen their partnership across education, public service, energy, and defense sectors.