MOGADISHU — The Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, H.E. Daud Aweis Jamac, held a strategic meeting today with Mr. Lionel Laurens, the UNDP Representative in Somalia, at the ministry’s headquarters in the capital.
Enhancing Media Capacity and Peacebuilding
The high-level discussions centered on significantly enhancing collaboration between the Ministry of Information and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The agenda focused heavily on joint development initiatives, including media capacity building, expansive public awareness campaigns, peacebuilding efforts, counter-terrorism messaging, and the active promotion of Somali culture and tourism.
Both parties stressed the critical importance of expanding programs that robustly back independent media and civic engagement. They highlighted the media’s vital role in fostering social development, national peace, and effective government communication during critical incidents.
A Continued Commitment to Development
During the exchange, Minister Aweis expressed deep gratitude to the UNDP for its continued, impactful support of Somalia’s broader development efforts. He specifically commended their ongoing work to improve the nation’s media capacity, elevate journalistic standards, and systematically strengthen government institutions.
The diplomatic meeting was attended by key technical personnel from both sides to ensure actionable follow-up. On the UNDP side, attendees included Mr. Maxamed Hadi, the Deputy Director for Inclusive Politics, and Helene Apollis, Head of the Bilan Media Strengthening Project, aligning closely with UNDP’s broader inclusive country programming. The Somali delegation prominently featured the Director of Media Strategy, the Director of Culture, and the Director of Federal-State Relations.
