Mogadishu, Somalia – In a significant step toward regional cooperation, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) offices in Somalia and Yemen have launched a joint effort to promote sustainable and climate-resilient fisheries development. The initiative seeks to strengthen the Blue Economy across the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, providing a pathway toward environmental sustainability and economic resilience.

This collaboration comes as climate change continues to disrupt coastal ecosystems in both countries. Somalia, with the longest coastline in mainland Africa, faces rising sea levels, increased coastal erosion, and declining fish stocks. These changes threaten not only marine biodiversity but also the livelihoods of thousands of families who depend on fishing for survival.

The joint initiative seeks to equip local governments, fishing cooperatives, and coastal communities with tools and knowledge to manage marine resources sustainably. It aligns closely with Somalia’s National Blue Economy Strategy, which emphasizes balancing economic growth with environmental protection.

In Somalia, the program will focus on coastal regions such as Puntland, Galmudug, and Banadir—areas where fishing is a cornerstone of the local economy. Planned activities include training fishermen in sustainable practices, improving cold chain infrastructure to minimize post-harvest losses, and establishing marine protected areas to restore fish habitats.

The Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea form a shared marine ecosystem between Somalia and Yemen, making joint management efforts crucial. Both nations face overlapping challenges, including overfishing, pollution, and the impacts of conflict and displacement. By working together, the two countries can enhance their capacity to address these threats through regional coordination and shared innovation.

Beyond protecting marine life, the initiative also aims to improve food security, create jobs, and support climate adaptation measures in vulnerable coastal areas. By integrating sustainability into fisheries management, it seeks to reduce poverty while safeguarding marine resources for future generations.

For many coastal families in Somalia, this collaboration represents more than just a development program—it offers renewed hope for economic stability and environmental renewal. As both countries confront the mounting pressures of climate change, their joint commitment to a resilient Blue Economy signals a vital step toward a more sustainable and secure future for the region.