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MOGADISHU — As part of its strategic efforts to achieve comprehensive national transformation and leverage youth energy for sustainable development, the Somali government and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) held extensive discussions in Mogadishu this Tuesday. The meeting aimed to expand youth empowerment programs, aligning them with the “National Transformation Plan (NTP) 2025–2029” to build a prosperous and stable future.
The meeting, involving the Director General of the Ministry of Youth and Sport and FAO technical teams—as reported by Dawan Africa—reviewed ongoing cooperation, specifically the YOU ACT Project implemented in cities like Jowhar, which empowers young people to lead conflict transformation and digital innovation.
Participants emphasized—according to Dawan Africa’s journalistic sources—that these engagements implement the foundations of the recently launched NTP. The plan prioritizes social and human capital development as one of its four core pillars for the nation’s advancement.
This renewed partnership aims to reposition stakeholder engagements for 2026 by moving toward more structured cooperation. This ensures the inclusion of Somali youth in national policymaking and maximizes the impact of developmental projects on local stability and long-term economic growth.
The YOU ACT project, supported by the UN Peacebuilding Fund and implemented by Shaqodoon Organization under joint FAO and IOM management, focuses on addressing resource-based disputes and strengthening the role of young people in local governance and peacebuilding efforts.
Dawan Africa news reports indicated that discussions centered on developing digital tools and social innovation as means to enhance youth involvement in economic transformation, ensuring these projects align with the actual needs of local communities across various regions.
During the meeting, officials stressed the importance of capacity building for youth, equipping them with the skills necessary to contribute to food security and agricultural leadership. This contributes to reducing unemployment and providing sustainable developmental alternatives that bolster community resilience.
The meeting concluded with a call to intensify coordination between the Ministry and international organizations to ensure the sustainability of existing projects and expand their geographical scope, asserting that youth empowerment is the cornerstone of the state’s transition from traditional relief to comprehensive transformation.
This movement reflects Somalia’s firm commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goals. The integration of national efforts with international support serves as a true guarantee to transform youth aspirations into a field reality that contributes to building a modern state capable of reclaiming its leading role in the region.
Betting on the potential of Somali youth within the National Transformation vision represents the “Dawn of Entitlement” in the state-building journey. By transforming youth from idle potential into engines of innovation and production, Somalia is drafting the features of a new era founded on intellectual sovereignty and sustainable development. This harmony between national ambition and international expertise is the ultimate guarantee for forging a nation that prospers through the creativity of its children, making investment in minds the cornerstone of stability and regional leadership.
