MOGADISHU – The State Minister for Environment and Climate Change, H.E. Ahmed Omar, today officially launched the “National Climate Outlook Forum for the Gu 2026 Rainy Season” in Mogadishu, a strategic initiative to bolster national resilience against climate change and establish advanced early warning systems with significant international and regional representation.
Jointly organized by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) and the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), with backing from IGAD, FAO, and WMO, the forum centers on “Early Action for Drought Risk Management.” It functions as a national mechanism connecting climate information to governmental decision-making and food security initiatives.
The State Minister reiterated the Federal Government’s steadfast dedication to creating a comprehensive early warning system, stressing the objective of shifting from reactive crisis management to proactive prediction and prevention measures to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of Somali citizens.
Dr. Guleid Abdulkadir Artan, Somalia’s Permanent Representative to WMO, explained the technical importance of the forum, noting that climate forecasting has evolved beyond simple technical reporting to become a sovereign instrument allowing the state to efficiently plan ahead against drought and flood risks.
Dr. Ahmed Abdi Adan, Deputy Chairman of SoDMA, emphasized the agency’s responsibility for coordinating logistics, explaining that precise forecasts from this forum enable implementation of concrete preventive actions before humanitarian crises intensify in at-risk regions.
International partners, with FAO Representative Etienne Peterschmitt leading the affirmation, pledged ongoing technical assistance to strengthen rural community resilience and convert climate information into agricultural approaches that increase national productivity.
IGAD and WMO participants observed that Somalia’s current initiatives to upgrade meteorological systems serve as an emerging regional example, with commitments to supply the required technical resources to enable national personnel to handle intricate climate information proficiently.
The sessions brought together ministers and representatives from Federal Member States, demonstrating institutional cooperation between central and regional authorities in tackling environmental issues and the importance of harmonizing the national climate narrative when engaging with international partners.
The forum concentrates on enhancing connections between meteorological monitoring frameworks and decision-making institutions to guarantee timely delivery of early warnings to farmers and pastoralists, thereby minimizing economic damages and preserving livestock, which forms the foundation of the national economy.
The forum is anticipated to conclude with the release of the “Gu 2026 Climate Outlook Document,” containing actionable recommendations for key sectors to establish a sustainable national infrastructure capable of withstanding climate impacts and attaining holistic developmental stability.
Somalia’s initiative in hosting this national forum demonstrates a fundamental transformation in the state’s approach to climate change, where the environment is now recognized not just as a natural element but as an essential component of national security. The seamless combination of “scientific data” and “humanitarian action” establishes Somalia among countries capable of converting climate challenges into opportunities for creating resilient and thriving communities, elevating its status in global environmental circles.
