Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Amb. Abdisalam Abdi Ali, has led a high-level delegation to Doha where they participated in the inaugural session of the Somalia–Qatar Joint Committee. The committee was established by the two governments to strengthen their long-standing friendship and advance strategic cooperation across key sectors.
During the session, Minister Amb. Abdisalaam Abdi Ali and Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi, signed a series of bilateral agreements aimed at deepening collaboration between the two nations. The agreements cover cultural exchange, customs cooperation, youth development, and agricultural advancement, areas both sides described as critical to sustainable development and mutual growth.
Under the Culture and Heritage Agreement, Somalia’s Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education and its Qatari counterpart committed to enhancing cooperation between national libraries, archives, and cultural institutions. The pact also promotes joint cultural festivals, art exhibitions, knowledge exchange programs, and participation in international book fairs hosted by either country.
A second agreement, signed with the Ministry of Finance, focuses on customs cooperation. It seeks to strengthen enforcement of customs laws, streamline inspection processes, combat smuggling and customs-related crimes, and improve accuracy in tax and tariff assessments, while aligning with regional and international customs standards.
The Youth Agreement, endorsed by Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, aims to expand youth exchanges, participation in conferences and workshops, joint exploration programs, and training in project management and leadership skills. Officials said the pact will help empower young people in both countries and support youth-led initiatives.
In the agricultural sector, the two sides signed a cooperation framework committing to increased food production, knowledge exchange in agricultural sciences, introduction of modern farming technologies, greenhouse development, and collaboration in research and capacity-building. The agreement is expected to boost Somalia’s agricultural resilience and support Qatar’s interest in sustainable food security partnerships.
Officials from both governments described the agreements as a clear signal of the renewed strategic direction of Somalia–Qatar relations. They emphasized that the accords reflect a shared vision for long-term development, economic integration, and cultural exchange built on trust and mutual benefit.
The Doha session concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to implement the signed agreements and continue strengthening cooperation under the newly established Joint Committee..
