Mogadishu, Somalia – The East African nation of Somalia has taken a significant step toward strengthening its resilience to climate shocks with the launch of its first Global Shield Against Climate Risks In-Country Process (ICP) workshop, held in Mogadishu on Tuesday.

The two-day workshop, organized by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC), seeks to validate the initial findings of Somalia’s Stock-Take and Gap Analysis. This process is a crucial step in enabling the country to secure greater access to climate risk finance and protection mechanisms.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, State Minister Ahmed Omar Mohamed underscored the urgency of addressing recurring climate emergencies that continue to threaten Somalia’s stability and development. He highlighted how droughts, floods, and other climate-induced shocks have repeatedly undermined national resilience, food security, and livelihoods.

“The frequency and intensity of these climate shocks demand urgent and coordinated action. The Global Shield ICP offers Somalia an opportunity to strengthen our preparedness and ensure communities have better access to climate finance and risk protection,” said the State Minister.

The workshop aligns with the ministry’s broader agenda of embedding resilience into Somalia’s development planning. Minister Mohamed pointed to the recently developed National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and the updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0) as critical frameworks that will guide the country’s response to the climate crisis. These documents set clear pathways for adaptation and mitigation, ensuring Somalia remains aligned with global climate action commitments under the Paris Agreement.

Participants at the workshop, including government agencies, international partners, and climate experts, are expected to provide feedback on the Stock-Take and Gap Analysis. Their input will help refine the ICP’s roadmap for Somalia, ensuring targeted interventions and funding streams are directed toward the most urgent needs.

The Global Shield Against Climate Risks initiative, launched at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, seeks to provide countries most vulnerable to climate impacts with financial tools, insurance solutions, and risk financing strategies. For Somalia, where climate change has fueled displacement, conflict over resources, and recurring humanitarian crises, the ICP represents a vital lifeline.

By the end of the workshop, Somalia hopes to lay the groundwork for more structured access to international climate finance mechanisms, allowing the country to better protect its people against future climate disasters.