Somalia’s Foreign Minister urges stronger food security cooperation at Korea-Africa meeting

SEOUL – Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H.E. Abdisalam Abdi Ali Dhaay, spoke at the Korea-Africa Foreign Ministers Meeting in Seoul, advocating for enhanced collaboration on addressing climate change, food security, and digital transformation. The minister reaffirmed Somalia’s dedication to peace, resilience, and shared prosperity.

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.

The meeting coincides with Somalia’s expanded diplomatic efforts beyond traditional partners, as the nation seeks to utilize its strategic position along major global shipping routes and build upon recent progress in governance, debt relief, and economic reforms.

Climate Change and Food Security Initiatives

Somalia has been actively pursuing climate resilience and food security projects to address the nation’s vulnerability to recurring droughts and climate shocks. The Federal Government of Somalia, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has launched the Leveraging Digital Systems for Emergency Preparedness and Response to Food Crises in Somalia (EmergenSys project), which seeks to enhance resilience to climate and non-climate-related threats by leveraging digital tools to improve food security and crisis response.

The Federal Ministry of Livestock, Forestry and Range has officially launched the Activating Climate Resilient Agricultural Livelihoods in Somalia (ACALS) project, providing climate-resilient technologies and livelihood support for pastoralists, farmers, women, and youth across the country. The initiative, funded by the African Development Bank, aims to strengthen resilience and empower 30,000 people across Hirshabelle and Puntland states through restored agricultural systems and climate-adapted infrastructure.

The federal government of Somalia has successfully delivered $3.88 million in targeted drought insurance payouts to pastoralist communities through an innovative index-based livestock Takaful program supported by the Horn of Africa DRIVE initiative, providing early financial support to vulnerable families long before drought conditions intensify into a catastrophic crisis.

Digital Transformation and Economic Recovery

For Somalia, stronger relations with South Korea offer potential advantages in sectors such as technology, digital transformation, skills development, and public sector capacity-building. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) have launched a multi-country project promoting economic recovery, strengthening community resilience, and fostering peace in Somalia, Kenya, and Guinea, providing support for individuals and communities affected by conflicts and economic challenges.

A Forum for Dialogue and Collaboration

The Korea-Africa Ministerial Meeting functions as a significant forum for dialogue and collaboration between African countries and the Republic of Korea, tackling common challenges while progressing toward sustainable development and shared prosperity. Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has previously 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.

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.