Doha, Qatar — The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Contact Group on Somalia convened a two-day high-level meeting in Doha this week, hosted by the State of Qatar and attended by senior officials from OIC member states and international organizations.
The gathering focused on deepening support for Somalia in its quest for peace, stability, and sustainable development.
The meeting was chaired by Mohammed Ahmed Al Hammadi, Assistant Director of the International Organizations Department at Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In his opening remarks, Al Hammadi underscored the critical role of multilateral cooperation in strengthening Somalia’s institutions and economic resilience.
He called on member states and partners to prioritize long-term, people-centered development strategies aimed at helping Somalia transition from humanitarian dependency to self-sufficiency.
“Somalia needs sustainable development, not temporary fixes. We must invest in empowering Somalis to build their own future,” Al Hammadi stated.
Discussions at the meeting centered on coordinated assistance in governance, economic recovery, and social development, with special emphasis on job creation, youth empowerment, and infrastructure development. Delegates agreed on the importance of aligning aid efforts with Somalia’s national priorities and the need to avoid duplication in donor support.
The Doha session also reiterated the OIC’s unwavering commitment to Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, especially in light of recent geopolitical tensions in the Horn of Africa.
Participants praised Somalia’s ongoing reform agenda and urged the international community to scale up support for the country’s federal institutions. The meeting concluded with a pledge to enhance OIC engagement and mobilize resources for Somalia through coordinated international partnerships.
The OIC Contact Group’s Doha summit marks another milestone in the regional and global push to help Somalia overcome decades of instability and chart a path toward lasting peace and prosperity.