Sunday 22 Sep 2024 {HMC} Prime Minister Hamsa Abdi Barre will lead Somalia’s delegation to the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week, where he is expected to deliver a message of resilience and international cooperation as Somalia prepares to join the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member for the first time in more than 50 years.
According to his office, Barre’s address will emphasize Somalia’s contributions to global security, climate action, and digital transformation, positioning the country at the heart of key international discussions.
This year’s UNGA, themed “Leaving No One Behind,” comes as the world grapples with an array of challenges, from geopolitical tensions to climate emergencies.
Barre will be accompanied by key officials, including Foreign Affairs Minister Ahmed Moallin Fiqi, Environment and Climate Change Minister Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, and State Minister Hirsi Jama Ganni. Also joining the delegation are Abukar Osman Baale, Somalia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Kamal Gutale, the Prime Minister’s Permanent Secretary, and Farhan Jimale, the government’s spokesperson.
Barre is expected to highlight Somalia’s efforts to address its internal crises, particularly its ongoing battle against terrorism, and to emphasize the importance of international support in peacebuilding.
The prime minister’s speech is anticipated to underscore Somalia’s pivotal role in the fight against terrorism, particularly the extremist group Al-Shabaab, which continues to pose a threat to parts of the country. With the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) set to conclude at the end of this year, Barre will call for continued international assistance to strengthen the new peace operation known as AUSSOM, as Somali security forces assume greater responsibility for maintaining peace.
Barre is also expected to emphasize Somalia’s vulnerability to climate change. As one of the nations most affected by rising global temperatures, recurring droughts, and devastating floods, Somalia has experienced the catastrophic impacts of environmental degradation. The country’s agricultural sector, which sustains much of the population, has been particularly hard hit by extreme weather events. Barre is likely to advocate for increased financial and technical support for climate-affected nations, urging wealthier countries to fulfill their commitments to global climate funds.
Somalia’s participation in this year’s UNGA comes as it prepares to take a seat on the UN Security Council for the 2025-2026 term, marking a watershed moment in its post-conflict recovery. The last time Somalia held this position was in the early 1970s, before the country descended into decades of civil war following the ousting of President Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.
Prime Minister Barre’s speech is expected to acknowledge this achievement while outlining the responsibilities Somalia will bear as it joins the council.
