Late last month, Somalia’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Lt. Gen. Bashir Mohamed Jama, and Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry, Aden Duale, held discussions on the need for fostering bilateral cooperation on environmental and climate issues between their respective nations.
Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle, Somalia’s Ambassador to Kenya, accompanied Lt. Gen. Jama to the meeting where the discussions sought to address shared environmental challenges and enhancing collaboration between the two nations.
Proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
The meeting focused on drafting an MoU to strengthen collaboration in areas such as environmental sustainability, capacity building, and joint climate action. This agreement would formalize efforts to tackle shared challenges like climate change, deforestation, and biodiversity loss.
Establishment of a Federal Environmental Authority in Somalia
Both parties agreed to initiate technical discussions to support the creation of a federal environmental authority in Somalia. This initiative aims to bolster Somalia’s institutional capacity to manage environmental and climate-related issues effectively.
Bilateral Engagements at UNEA-7
Lt. Gen. Jama proposed bilateral engagements during the upcoming United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7), emphasizing the importance of leveraging international platforms to advance joint climate and environmental goals.
Significance of the Meeting
The discussions reflect a growing recognition of the need for regional collaboration to address pressing environmental and climate challenges, particularly in the Horn of Africa. Both Somalia and Kenya face similar threats, including droughts, floods, and desertification, which require coordinated efforts to build resilience and promote sustainable development.
By strengthening bilateral ties and institutional frameworks, this partnership could serve as a model for regional cooperation in addressing climate change and environmental degradation. The outcomes of this meeting are expected to contribute to long-term environmental sustainability and climate resilience in both countries.
