Ahmed Omar, Somalia’s State Minister for Environment and Climate Change, officially launched the National Climate Outlook Forum for the Gu 2026 rainy season in Mogadishu.

The opening ceremony brought together Dr. Guleid Abdulkadir Artan; directors from federal government agencies; representatives of Somalia’s development partners; the Deputy Commissioner of the National Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA); directors from federal member states; ministers from federal member states; and the State Minister of Environment.

The forum was organized jointly by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) and the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), working with partner institutions including IGAD/ICPAC, WMO, FAO, and relevant ministries.

Under the theme “Early Action for Drought Risk Management, Protecting Lives, Livelihoods and Food Security,” the forum centered on presenting the Gu’ 2026 rainfall forecast and improving connections between early warning systems and timely response actions.

Dr. Guleid Abdulkadir Artan, Somalia’s Permanent Representative to the WMO and Special Envoy for Meteorological Affairs at the Ministry of Environment, highlighted the forum’s significance in connecting climate data to government decision-making.

This forum forms a fundamental part of the nation’s early warning system. Climate forecasting is more than just a technical report; it’s a tool that can save lives and livelihoods when effectively translated into planning and prompt action,” stated Dr. Guleid Artan.

Dr. Ahmed Abdi Adan, Deputy Commissioner of the National Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), also described the agency’s responsibilities in drought prevention and disaster management.

SoDMA coordinates emergency response and disaster preparedness efforts. Advanced forecasts like this enable us to implement preventive measures before situations develop into emergencies,” he explained.

Etienne Peterschmitt, FAO Representative in Somalia, mentioned that FAO would continue supplying technical support to improve the application of climate data for boosting agricultural productivity and rural community resilience.

In addition, Eng. Mohamed Ali, WMO’s Horn of Africa Project Manager, and Dr. Philip Omondi from ICPAC–IGAD, recognized Somalia’s ongoing efforts as praiseworthy and committed to enhancing cooperation and technical assistance.

Ahmed Omar, State Minister for Environment and Climate Change, officially opened the forum, reaffirming the government’s dedication to strengthening the national early warning system.

The Federal Government of Somalia is dedicated to improving early warning systems and increasing cooperation between national and international institutions. Our goal is explicit: to prevent drought, save lives, and protect the livelihoods of the Somali people,” he declared.

Attendees included Ministers from Puntland and Southwest federal member states, experts from federal government and federal member state institutions, and representatives from partner organizations.

The National Gu 2026 Climate Outlook Forum is anticipated to generate an official report and actionable recommendations to improve preparedness and mitigate climate-related risks.