SEOUL – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea hosted the 2026 Korea-Africa Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) in Seoul on May 31, co-chaired by Vice Minister for Political Affairs Jung Eui-hye and Betty Osafo Mensah, Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ghana.
As the First Vice-Chair of the African Union (AU) for 2026, Ghana represented the African delegation and served as co-chair of the meeting.
In her opening remarks, Vice Minister Jung emphasized that amid increasingly complex global challenges, including the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Korea and Africa must strengthen solidarity and cooperation more than ever before.
“Korea and Africa possess complementary strengths that can contribute to addressing global uncertainties and promoting sustainable growth,” Jung stated. “By combining Korea’s innovation and industrial expertise with Africa’s vast resources and strategic location, both sides can create a resilient and prosperous future together.”
Director Mensah noted that the strategic importance of Korea-Africa cooperation has become even more evident in the face of today’s interconnected global crises. She expressed hope that practical cooperation between Korea and African countries would be elevated to a new level in areas such as critical minerals, supply chain resilience, renewable energy, and food security.
Somalia Participates in High-Level Talks
Held one day before the Korea-Africa Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on June 1, the Senior Officials’ Meeting brought together more than 50 senior representatives from African countries and international organizations to discuss ways to advance shared prosperity, sustainable growth, and stronger Korea-Africa solidarity.
Somalia was represented by Mr. Said Jama Mire, Director of Asia and Australia at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, who participated in the meeting and reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the Republic of Korea and African partners in trade, investment, infrastructure, digitalization, education, and technology transfer. He also reiterated Somalia’s support for collective action on global challenges, including climate change, food security, public health, and terrorism.
Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation attended the opening session of the Korea-Africa Ministerial Meeting in Seoul, joining colleagues from across the continent for discussions focused on enhancing economic cooperation and diplomatic relations with South Korea. The conference gathers foreign ministers and senior officials from African nations and the Republic of Korea to explore methods of enhancing cooperation, promoting sustainable growth, and advancing mutual interests in trade, investment, technology, and international partnerships.
Somalia’s Commitment to Broader Partnerships
Somalia’s involvement demonstrates the Federal Government’s dedication to broadening its diplomatic and economic ties with friendly countries, concentrating on establishing productive collaborations, attracting investment, fostering innovation, and improving institutional capabilities. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government is dedicated to forming productive relationships with friendly nations that can support Somalia’s long-term development objectives through investment, innovation, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
Prime Minister Barre’s Call for Sustainable Growth
Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has called for sustainable growth between South Korea and Africa while addressing leaders at the Korea-Africa Summit, highlighting the incredible progress that Somalia has made and encouraging South Korean investors to invest in Somalia in areas such as renewable energy, natural resources, and agriculture. The Korea-Africa partnership gained momentum following the first Korea-Africa Summit in Seoul in 2024, where leaders committed to intensify cooperation and enhance two-way trade and investment.
Participating Nations and Organizations
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting was attended by senior officials representing 50 African countries and four international organizations. Participants engaged in extensive discussions on key issues including economic cooperation, supply chain stability, energy transition, climate action, food security, and sustainable development. They also explored concrete measures to deepen the strategic partnership between Korea and Africa in response to evolving global challenges.
The Ministry stated that the meeting served as an important platform for laying the groundwork for the successful Korea-Africa Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and further strengthening the strategic partnership between Korea and African nations.
Looking Ahead
Somalia’s increasing role in high-level international forums demonstrates the Federal Government’s wider approach of improving the country’s global position, attracting foreign investment, and establishing partnerships that foster sustainable development and long-term stability. The Korea-Africa partnership continues to evolve as both sides recognize the mutual benefits of closer cooperation across trade, technology, maritime security, and sustainable development.
For Somalia, stronger relations with South Korea offer potential advantages from one of Asia’s leading economies, particularly in sectors such as technology, digital transformation, skills development, fisheries, renewable energy, and public sector capacity-building.
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