Doha,Qatar-

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia, His Excellency Abdisalam Abdi Ali, together with a high-level delegation, participated in the First Session of the Somalia–Qatar Joint Committee, held in Doha. The Joint Committee was established by the two governments to enhance friendly relations and advance strategic cooperation between Somalia and Qatar.

The session underscored the mutual commitment of both countries to deepen bilateral ties across key sectors. During the meeting, His Excellency Abdisalam Abdi Ali and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, His Excellency Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi, signed a series of cooperation agreements aimed at promoting sustainable development and strengthening institutional collaboration.

Signed Agreements

1. Agreement on Heritage and Culture

(Ministry of Education, Heritage and Higher Education)

Somalia and Qatar agreed to expand cooperation in the fields of culture, education, and heritage preservation. The agreement includes:

• Strengthening ties between national libraries, museums, and historical archives.
• Organizing cultural festivals, exhibitions, and artistic performances in both countries.
• Promoting knowledge exchange in arts, culture, and heritage preservation.
• Facilitating participation in international book fairs hosted in Somalia and Qatar.

2. Customs Cooperation Agreement

(Ministry of Finance)

This agreement aims to enhance customs administration and ensure the effective enforcement of customs laws. Key elements include:

• Strengthening joint efforts to combat customs fraud, smuggling, and related crimes.
• Ensuring accurate assessment and collection of taxes, duties, and customs fees.
• Protecting customs regulations and ensuring compliance with regional and international standards.
• Promoting information sharing and capacity-building initiatives between customs authorities.

3. Youth Cooperation Agreement

(Ministry of Youth and Sports)
The two countries committed to promoting youth development through:

• Exchange programs for youth organizations and national youth councils.
• Participation in conferences, forums, and seminars focused on youth empowerment.
• Collaboration in organizing youth camps and cultural exchange programs.
• Training initiatives to build project management, leadership, and innovation skills among young people.

4. Agriculture Cooperation Agreement

(Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation)

To strengthen food security and agricultural development, Somalia and Qatar agreed to collaborate in:

• Enhancing agricultural and food production through modern technologies and best practices.
• Exchanging scientific data, research findings, and agricultural expertise.
• Organizing joint workshops, seminars, and technical conferences.
• Promoting cooperation in irrigation systems, fertilizers, storage solutions, and greenhouse management.

Conclusion

The agreements signed during the first session of the Somalia–Qatar Joint Committee highlight the strong determination of both nations to broaden and deepen strategic cooperation. By focusing on culture, customs, youth development, and agriculture, Somalia and Qatar reaffirm their shared vision for long-term partnership, sustainable growth, and mutual prosperity.

Telegaraf News