Somalia’s Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Saciid Mohamed Ali, recently engaged in a consultative meeting with representatives from DT Global to discuss the implementation of the six-year Green Urban Growth (GUG) Programme in the East African nation. Funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), this £25 million initiative aims to enhance climate-resilient infrastructure in Somali cities, fostering urban adaptation to climate change and promoting economic growth through improved trade corridors.
During the meeting, Dr. Saciid emphasized the necessity of aligning the GUG Programme with national policies and frameworks, such as the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and the National Transformation Plan (NTP), particularly within the Environment and Climate sector. He also highlighted the importance of prioritizing cities highly vulnerable to climate change impacts, including floods and droughts. The program is currently in its planning phase and seeks to develop cities that are more resilient to climate change.
The GUG Programme’s objectives include unblocking access to climate-resilient basic services, creating green economic opportunities for Somalia’s urban poor and internally displaced persons (IDPs), and promoting resilient urban planning to minimize conflict, enhance climate resilience, and support the integration of IDPs.
It’s also involved in developing a pipeline of climate-resilient infrastructure projects with the potential to effect systemic change and encourage growth as well as mobilizing finance – including climate finance – for sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient infrastructure that encourages green growth.
This initiative represents a significant step towards addressing climate adaptation and resilience for local communities and IDPs in Somalia. Notably, the United Kingdom’s Green Urban Growth Initiative is set to launch in Baidoa, reflecting a commitment to enhancing climate resilience in vulnerable cities.
The meeting was attended by key ministry officials, including the Directors of the Environment and Meteorology Departments, Ms. Layla Diriye and Mr. Abdirisak Abdullahi Mohamed, who actively participated in the discussions.
