Environment Minister Bashir Jama Holds Talks with UN Deputy Envoy on COP31 Preparations

MOGADISHU — The Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Major General Bashir Mohamed Jama, has held a productive meeting with the United Nations Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, George Conway, to discuss strengthening cooperation on environmental protection, climate change adaptation, and preparations for Somalia’s participation in the upcoming COP31 global climate conference.

The meeting, held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Mogadishu, focused on enhancing collaboration between the Federal Government and UN agencies, particularly in the areas of environmental conservation, climate resilience, and the implementation of strategic development projects across the country. The two sides also discussed Somalia’s preparations for the 31st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP31), with both emphasizing the importance of Somalia participating with a unified position to maximize opportunities for international funding and support.

Strengthening Climate Resilience and Environmental Governance

Minister Bashir, who assumed office in 2024 and brings extensive experience in governance, security, and national development, has been at the forefront of Somalia’s efforts to address climate change and environmental degradation. Under his leadership, the Ministry has advanced key initiatives including the establishment of the National Environmental Management Authority, a landmark bill approved by the Council of Ministers that is expected to play a critical role in guiding and overseeing environmental protection efforts, combating land degradation, and supporting climate change adaptation in line with national development plans and international commitments.

UN Deputy Envoy George Conway, who was appointed as Deputy Special Representative and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, has been actively engaged in supporting Somalia’s development and humanitarian priorities. Conway has previously commended Somalia’s leadership in coordinating development efforts and emphasized the UN’s commitment to supporting Somalia’s Vision 2060 and National Development Plan.

The discussions with Minister Bashir build on a series of high-level engagements between Somali officials and UN leadership focused on humanitarian response, climate resilience, and development cooperation. Minister of Information Daud Aweis Jama recently held talks with Conway on media engagement, public awareness, and humanitarian response, while SoDMA and the UN have been bolstering joint efforts against the escalating drought emergency.

Preparing for COP31 and Global Climate Engagement

A central focus of the meeting was Somalia’s preparation for COP31, the upcoming global climate conference. Somalia has been actively participating in international climate negotiations, with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change sending delegations to recent UNFCCC sessions. The country has also supported Turkey’s bid to host COP31, pledging to assist in its efforts to secure the conference.

In June 2026, the Somali delegation participated in the 64th Sessions of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies (SB64) in Bonn, Germany, engaging in negotiations on mitigation, technology development and transfer, and climate finance. The discussions with Conway are part of broader efforts to strengthen Somalia’s engagement with international climate finance mechanisms and accelerate access to funding for adaptation and resilience projects.

The meeting also addressed the importance of aligning Somalia’s environmental priorities with the UN’s Agenda 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Minister Bashir has previously reaffirmed Somalia’s dedication to climate resilience and regional cooperation at the Africa Sustainable Development Forum, highlighting the importance of international partnerships in addressing the country’s environmental challenges.

Broader UN-Somalia Cooperation

The meeting is part of a broader framework of cooperation between Somalia and the United Nations. In July 2025, a Joint Steering Committee meeting co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama and Minister of National Planning Muhamud Abdirahman Sheikh Farah, alongside Conway, reviewed key UN program achievements and endorsed strategic priorities for 2025. The committee highlighted critical focus areas including strengthening good governance, accelerating economic development, expanding access to social services, and enhancing resilience to climate shocks.

Conway has also been involved in drought assessments in affected regions, visiting IDP settlements near Kismayo to evaluate living conditions and humanitarian difficulties confronting displaced communities. His engagement with Somali officials across multiple portfolios reflects the UN’s comprehensive approach to supporting Somalia’s development and humanitarian needs.

SoDMA and the UN have been bolstering joint efforts against the escalating drought emergency, with Conway co-chairing talks to reinforce the country’s response to the climate crisis.

Critical Note

While the meeting between Minister Bashir and George Conway reflects Somalia’s growing engagement with international climate and development frameworks, the gap between policy commitments and on-the-ground implementation remains a significant challenge. The establishment of the National Environmental Management Authority, while a positive step, will require sustained political will, adequate funding, and institutional capacity to translate legislative progress into meaningful environmental protection. Furthermore, Somalia’s participation in global climate forums, while diplomatically important, has yet to yield tangible increases in climate finance flows to the country. The government’s ability to access and effectively utilize international climate funds will be a critical test of its commitment to environmental governance. Without transparent mechanisms for fund management and project implementation, international support risks being absorbed by bureaucratic inefficiencies rather than reaching the communities most vulnerable to climate shocks. The UN’s role in supporting Somalia’s climate agenda, while valuable, should be accompanied by robust accountability measures to ensure that assistance translates into measurable improvements in environmental resilience and sustainable development.