Mogadishu, Somalia — The Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Lt. Gen. Bashir Mohamed Jama, in partnership with the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mohamed Abdulqadir, officially opened the Climate Change and Youth Conference on Thursday.

The landmark event brought together youth leaders, government officials, and development partners to strengthen dialogue on climate action and foster the role of young people in shaping sustainable solutions.

In his opening remarks, Lt. Gen. Jama emphasized that Somalia’s climate crisis — marked by recurring droughts, floods, and resource scarcity — requires “the energy, innovation, and leadership of young people to drive long-term resilience.” He underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring youth inclusion in national climate policies and adaptation strategies.

On his part, Abdulqadir highlighted the importance of empowering youth as frontline agents of change.

“Somali youth are not only the largest demographic but also the most affected by climate shocks. They must be at the center of solutions, from local initiatives to national programs,” he stated.

Participants engaged in discussions on renewable energy, community adaptation, sustainable livelihoods, and climate education. Youth representatives presented innovative projects, ranging from reforestation campaigns to clean energy initiatives, aimed at strengthening community resilience against climate threats.

Development partners praised the conference as a timely initiative, aligning with Somalia’s ongoing transition plan and its commitment under global climate agreements. The dialogue is expected to culminate in a set of youth-driven recommendations to feed into Somalia’s broader climate resilience strategies.

The event marks a significant step in bridging the gap between national policymaking and grassroots action, with Somalia’s young generation positioned at the forefront of the country’s response to the climate emergency.