ADDIS ABABA — The Minister of Environment and Climate Change for the Federal Government of Somalia, Lt. Gen. Bashir Mohamed Jama, has participated in the 12th Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD12) held in Addis Ababa, convening stakeholders from the UN system, African Union, and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) to advance the continent’s sustainable development objectives.
The forum, which ran from April 26 to April 30, 2026, brought together governments, regional institutions, the private sector, youth leaders, and development partners to discuss accelerating progress on Africa’s sustainable development priorities, including climate action, water security, and green growth, while enhancing collaboration among regional and international partners.
Somalia’s Climate Resilience Commitments
During the forum, the Minister reaffirmed Somalia’s dedication to climate resilience, environmental sustainability, and regional cooperation, highlighting the Forum’s importance in aligning Africa’s priorities with the UN’s Agenda 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Somalia has consistently renewed its climate pledges on the international stage, reaffirming the nation’s commitment to global efforts aimed at protecting ecosystems, combating desertification, and promoting sustainable development. The country launched its Long-Term Low-Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) at the World Green Economy Organisation Pavilion, outlining Somalia’s development directions for the next ten years.
Somalia’s Climate Vulnerabilities and Adaptation Plans
Lt. Gen. Bashir Mohamed Jama assumed office as Minister of Environment and Climate Change in 2024, bringing a wealth of experience in governance, security, human rights, and national development to his role. He is a distinguished member of the Somali Federal Parliament and holds the nation’s highest military rank.
The Federal Government launched its National Biodiversity Finance Plan, outlining a comprehensive roadmap for mobilizing domestic and international resources to protect the country’s unique ecosystems and endangered species. Parliament endorsed the National Climate Change Policy earlier this year, providing a comprehensive framework for strengthening resilience, fostering low-carbon growth, and ensuring coordinated climate action across all sectors.
Somalia’s National Climate Change Action Plan
On October 21, 2025, the Government of Somalia hosted a workshop in Mogadishu, where key actors validated the country’s first National Climate Change Action Plan 2025–2030 (NCCAP). The plan facilitates the implementation of Somalia’s national and international commitments on climate change, including priority actions identified in its National Adaptation Plan (NAP), Nationally Determined Contribution 3.0, and National Transformation Plan 2025–2029.
The workshop convened over 40 representatives from government, civil society, academia, development partner organizations, and the private sector to confirm key actions in seven priority sectors: Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food Security; Water Resources Management; Forestry and Biodiversity; Health, Sanitation and Human Settlements; Municipalities and Urban Development; Disaster Risk Management; and Energy and Transport.
“Adaptation actions are prioritized in this NCCAP because of the devastating impacts of droughts, floods, and extreme weather events in Somalia and the negative effects of climate change on vulnerable groups, including children, youth, women, people with disabilities, internally displaced persons, and minority groups,” said Abdirisak Ahmed Ali, Director General of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.
Somalia’s Long-Term Low-Emission Development Strategy
During an address in November 2025, Minister Bashir highlighted that although Somalia contributes very little to global emissions, it remains one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change. He emphasized that the LT-LEDS clarifies Somalia’s long-term direction by aligning national goals in energy, water, food security, job creation, and natural resource management.
“Today, Somalia presents not just a strategy, but a future vision built on resilience, cooperation, and shared ambition,” Minister Bashir concluded.
Regional Cooperation on Climate Action
The ARFSD12 forum provided an opportunity for Somalia to strengthen regional cooperation on climate action. The European Union, the United Nations, and the Federal Government of Somalia have launched a partnership to strengthen climate resilience and address the escalating impacts of environmental crises across the country. This collaboration is designed to reinforce national adaptation efforts, mobilize climate financing, and implement sustainable environmental strategies.
Somalia’s 5-Year Plan to Boost Forests
Minister Bashir has outlined an ambitious five-year national plan aimed at significantly boosting forest coverage across the country. The strategy focuses on combating severe drought, preventing land degradation, and mitigating the escalating effects of the climate crisis through aggressive reforestation and sustainable land management.
Somalia’s National Tree-Planting Week
Somalia’s annual tree-planting week officially commenced in Mogadishu under the theme “Green Somalia: Resilient Future.” The campaign has gained momentum with backing from high-level government officials and international partners, forming part of the “Greener Somalia” initiative championed by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Commitment to Sustainable Development
Somalia’s development priorities are presented in the National Transformation Plan (NTP-1) 2025-2029, which seeks to consolidate achievements made under previous development plans. The NTP-1 is anchored on four pillars: (i) Transformational Governance, (ii) Sustainable Economic Transformation, (iii) Social and Human Capital Development, and (iv) Environmental and Climate Resilience.
The Minister reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to climate resilience, environmental sustainability, and regional cooperation, underscoring the Forum’s role in aligning Africa’s priorities with Agenda 2030 and Agenda 2063. The Forum’s discussions emphasized the need for integrated solutions that connect water, energy, climate, livelihoods, governance, and inclusion in ways that reflect how development challenges are actually experienced on the ground.
As one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries facing worsening droughts, deforestation, and desertification, Somalia continues to prioritize environmental sustainability as a cornerstone of its long-term development strategy. The African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development serves as a critical platform for Somalia to engage with regional and international partners in advancing these shared objectives.
