Statement
Statement summary
The President said that Somalia's unique story of decisively transitioning from conflict to a brighter socioeconomic and political future, which began in 2012, is the story of real national effort, supported by committed international partners, many of whom are in the room today. Somalia is “evidence that multilateralism and global solidarity can make the world a better, safer and progressive place”. The country is also “bravely fighting the last remaining pockets of international terrorism” while building a strong and sustainable security architecture, he said. As a non-permanent member of the Security Council, Somalia is also working actively to promote stability and find solutions for peace in the Middle East, Africa and Europe.
Noting that Somalia was Africa’s first democratic nation, he said the Government has embarked on “a historic journey to undertake universal suffrage elections for the first time in 57 years”. Also highlighting the financing gap, he noted that “developing nations are facing the triple shock of high debt burdens, higher cost of sovereign borrowing and expenditure on recurrent shocks” — which is impossible to budget for annually. This is in addition to already dwindling development assistance. Somalia is building on the success of recent reform-based debt relief. It is continuously raising domestic revenue, strengthening public financial management systems and enforcing strict expenditure controls while enhancing transparency and accountability. Somalia has also joined the East Africa Community (EAC).
However, the impact of climate change is forcing Governments in developing countries, including his own, “to make impossible financial trade-offs”. This must be addressed urgently — developed industrialized nations must fulfil their financial obligations for the climate crisis they continue to exacerbate. “The resilient Somali people live with the climate crisis every day,” he said, adding that droughts, floods and rising seas erode livelihoods and displace families. Somalia has adopted a National Climate Change Policy and established the National Climate Fund to channel climate finance transparently and directly to communities. Calling for accessible, affordable and just financial support from international financial institutions and capital markets, he said that “nations on the front lines like Somalia cannot be left to face this crisis alone”.
In his address to the General Assembly, the President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud outlined global challenges and shared the progress his country has made in the fight against terrorism, promoting inclusive governance and economic development.
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Read also the UN News story in Kiswahili about the declaration made by the President of Somalia at the General Debate.
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Somalia’s story is one of “real national effort supported by truly committed international partners,” he said, referring to the country’s transition from all-out civil conflict beginning in 2012.
“In fact, Somalia is evidence that multilateralism and global solidarity can make the world a better, safer and progressive place.”
He affirmed that as a current member of the Security Council, his nation is working with other international partners to find solutions for peace in the Middle East, Africa and Europe.
Mr. Mohamud called for an “immediate and lasting ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access, and renewed commitment towards the two-State solution,” on the issue of Palestine.
‘Pockets of international terrorism’
Back home, Somalia is battling the “last remaining pockets of international terrorism while building a strong and sustainable national security architecture,” he said.
Recalling that Somalia was once Africa’s first democracy, he declared that the country is preparing now for its first full national elections in 57 years. More than 30 independent political associations have already registered their participation.
‘Taking responsibility’ for economic development
“In Somalia, we are taking responsibility for our own economic development by building on the success of our recent reform-based debt relief,” Mr. Mohamud said, pointing to Somalia’s efforts to mitigate the cost of public service investment.
He affirmed Somalia’s commitment to benefit from its strategic location and natural resources through trade and said that to support that ambition, the country has joined the East Africa Community, is ratifying policies aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area and continues the process of joining the World Trade Organization (WTO).
To combat the adverse impact of climate change, Mr. Mohamud announced the establishment of Somalia’s National Climate Fund to channel sustainable finance to communities transparently, along with efforts to restore degraded lands and strengthen water security.
He called on international institutions and capital markets to facilitate “accessible, affordable, predictable, and just” financing for Somalia’s sustainable growth and climate change mitigation.
“Nations on the frontlines like Somalia cannot be left to face this crisis alone unsupported by the dominant global financial architecture which is not fit for purpose in this age of great challenge.”
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