Somalia's President Calls for Strengthened Continental Cooperation to Combat Climate Change

Strategic Insights -

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud emphasized the need for collective action to address the escalating impacts of climate change during his address at the Second Africa Climate Summit in Addis Ababa. Somalia, despite contributing negligibly to global greenhouse gas emissions, is among the countries most affected by climate-related consequences. The president highlighted the devastating 2021-2023 drought, which affected 7.8 million people and led to mass displacement and economic hardship. He called on the international community and African nations to move from dialogue to decisive, unified measures to confront the climate crisis.

Key Takeaways:

  • Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud stressed the country's vulnerability to climate change despite its negligible contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions.
  • The 2021-2023 drought in Somalia was the worst in four decades, affecting 7.8 million people and leading to mass displacement and economic hardship.
  • Somalia has submitted its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) as part of its national climate initiatives.
  • The country launched the "Green Somalia Initiative" to plant 10 million trees and established a National Climate Fund to bolster environmental resilience.
  • President Mohamud urged the international community and African nations to advance joint efforts to confront the climate crisis and deliver meaningful, continent-wide outcomes.
  • The Somali government is taking proactive steps to address climate change through national initiatives, including the Green Somalia Initiative and the National Climate Fund.
  • President Mohamud emphasized the need for collective action and decisive measures to combat climate change, rather than relying solely on dialogue.

Statistics:

  • 7.8 million people were affected by the 2021-2023 drought in Somalia, the worst in four decades.
  • Somalia contributes negligibly to global greenhouse gas emissions.
  • 10 million trees are to be planted as part of the "Green Somalia Initiative".
  • The degree of severity of the climate crisis facing Somalia is already apparent through the destruction of the 2021-2023 drought.

Sources:

  • Shabelle Media Network, "Somali President Calls for Strengthened Continental Cooperation to Combat Climate Change", (2025)