Mogadishu(Mogadishu24)-Somalia is among the countries most severely affected by the climate crisis, with extreme weather events such as droughts and floods disrupting livelihoods, displacing populations, and exacerbating insecurity. In response, the United Nations has called for a major shift in Somalia’s approach to climate change during a symposium held today in Mogadishu.

Under the theme “Fostering resilience, strengthening adaptation, and uniting for action,” the symposium, organized by the UN, the Institute of Climate and Environment (ICE) at SIMAD University, and the Somali Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, emphasized the need for increased investment in climate adaptation and resilience to protect millions of livelihoods.

“2023 began with the worst drought in 50 years and ended with the worst flooding in a century,” said George Conway, UN Deputy Special Representative for Somalia, in his opening remarks. He stressed that while humanitarian responses are essential, long-term adaptation and resilience-building are critical to preventing chronic vulnerability.

The symposium gathered government officials, civil society, academia, and international organizations, with participants discussing the disproportionate impacts of climate change on vulnerable groups, including women and youth. Somali Minister of Youth and Sports, Mohamed Bare Mohamud, highlighted the role of youth in climate initiatives, while Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Ahmed Omar Mohamed, announced plans to plant 10 million trees and ban single-use plastics starting in October.

The event concluded with the adoption of a position paper outlining climate policy recommendations for the Somali government, focusing on rights-based interventions and innovative climate finance mechanisms to support national adaptation efforts.