Mogadishu, Somalia – Ambassador Dr. Hodan Osman Abdi officially presented her credentials to President Lương Cường at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on Friday, becoming the first Somali diplomat accredited to Vietnam. She will serve as the Non-Resident Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Somalia to the Southeast Asian nation.
The ceremony featured significant diplomatic formalities, highlighting the value both countries attribute to this new phase of bilateral relations. Amb. Hodan, who concurrently holds the position of Somalia’s Ambassador to China, was welcomed with full diplomatic honors by President Cường.
This accreditation represents an expansion of Somalia’s diplomatic presence in Asia, extending beyond conventional partners to connect with rising global economic powers.
Their discussions focused on the prospect of substantial economic collaboration. Vietnam is currently ranked among the world’s 30 largest economies and is regarded as one of the most rapidly expanding markets internationally.
The Federal Government of Somalia has emphasized establishing international alliances that provide concrete advantages in commerce and development. Through formal relations with Vietnam, Somalia seeks to utilize Vietnam’s substantial expertise in critical sectors such as:
a) Agriculture: Utilizing Vietnam’s achievements in rice and coffee cultivation to enhance food security in Somalia.
b) Manufacturing and Industry: Adopting insights from Vietnam’s accelerated industrial development model.
c) Trade: Creating new opportunities for Somali products in Southeast Asian markets and drawing Vietnamese investment.
The credential presentation aligns with the federal government’s diplomatic approach of diversifying its partnerships. By establishing relations with Vietnam, Somalia is positioning itself to gain from knowledge sharing and technical collaboration, especially in domains where Vietnam has shown remarkable advancement and stability.
Amb. Hodan affirmed the Somali government’s dedication to strengthening this connection, considering it as a pathway to wider involvement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region.
