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MOGADISHU – The Federal Government of Somalia’s Council of Ministers has approved, during its weekly meeting held on Thursday in the capital Mogadishu, a memorandum of understanding on environmental cooperation between the Federal Republic of Somalia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in a new step aimed at expanding bilateral partnerships and strengthening coordination between the two countries on issues related to environmental protection and sustainable development.
The memorandum comes as part of Somalia’s growing efforts to enhance cooperation with regional and international partners in addressing environmental and climate-related challenges through the exchange of technical expertise and institutional knowledge, as well as supporting joint initiatives aimed at improving natural resource management and strengthening national capacities to respond to emerging environmental challenges.
The agreement carries particular importance amid the difficult climate conditions Somalia has experienced in recent years. Recurrent droughts, floods, and the increasing impacts of climate change have placed significant pressure on vital sectors, including agriculture, livestock, and water resources, while directly affecting local communities whose livelihoods largely depend on natural resources.
The memorandum seeks to enhance technical cooperation between relevant institutions in both countries and facilitate the exchange of experiences in areas such as environmental management, ecosystem protection, and sustainability. It also provides a framework for developing joint programmes and projects that can contribute to reducing the impacts of climate change, supporting adaptation efforts, and strengthening Somalia’s national environmental capacities through benefiting from Saudi expertise.
The new step reflects the depth of relations between Mogadishu and Riyadh, which continue to expand across several areas of mutual interest, including development, investment, security, and humanitarian cooperation. Environmental partnership represents a shared commitment by both countries to broaden their collaboration into strategic areas linked to sustainable development and regional stability.
Observers believe that strengthening environmental cooperation is an important component in supporting Somalia’s efforts to address the consequences of climate change, particularly as the country requires long-term solutions beyond emergency responses. Regional partnerships in this field could contribute to developing more effective environmental policies, protecting natural resources, and enhancing the resilience of local communities against climate-related challenges.
Somalia faces growing environmental challenges due to its location in the Horn of Africa, one of the regions most affected by climate change. The country has experienced severe drought cycles followed in some areas by devastating floods, resulting in impacts on food security, water availability, natural resources, and livelihoods.
The Federal Government of Somalia continues to strengthen cooperation with international and regional partners to develop a more effective national framework for climate risk management, support sustainable development programmes, and improve natural resource governance in ways that protect the environment and promote stability for present and future generations.
