Beirut, Lebanon – The drive by Somalia to rebuild its economy and strengthen public institutions took center stage this week in Beirut, where Finance Minister Bihi Egeh joined regional leaders and policy experts at the Public Finance and Budgeting Forum hosted by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia.
The gathering, held against a backdrop of economic pressures across the region, offered Somalia a platform to reflect on the progress it has made in stabilizing its finances while outlining the work still ahead. For many participants, Somalia’s reform narrative stood out—an effort anchored in restoring confidence after years of fragility and ensuring that public resources are managed with discipline and transparency.
Egeh highlighted how Mogadishu is seeking to raise domestic revenue and strengthen public financial management so that the state can shoulder more of its essential responsibilities. It is an approach rooted in practicality: building institutions capable of collecting what is owed, spending wisely, and directing investments toward sectors that can shape the country’s future. Education, health, and social protection were emphasized as areas where every shilling has the potential to lift families out of hardship and inspire long-term growth.
The minister also stressed that Somalia’s economic path is inseparable from its broader quest for peace and stability. Officials attending the forum echoed this sentiment, noting that in a region where budgets are often stretched by crises, sound public finance systems act as a country’s most reliable safeguard.
For Somalia, participation in the Beirut forum was more than diplomatic engagement. It was a signal of a nation seeking to align macroeconomic discipline with inclusive development—an effort to ensure that reforms translate into the daily lives of citizens who want stability, opportunity, and a government that delivers.