Mogadishu Environmental Summit Concluded Successfully
On 3rd October, the 2nd edition of Mogadishu Environmental Summit (MES) 2023 concluded successfully after three days of gathering and conversation on water issues. The theme of this year was “Somalia and the water crisis: Moving Beyond Projects” since water issues are a fundamental contributing factor to climate change. The Summit was organized by Action for Environment in partnership with ICE Institute of SIMAD University. The summit attracts a significant number of participants including environmentalists, local experts, institutions, academics, researchers, and various individuals working towards environmental issues. The summit offered a platform for exchanging thoughts and resolving Somalia’s urgent environmental problems, especially its water crisis. Given the recent high rains and the consequences of El Nino, which have raised concerns about the country’s water status, this year’s theme was particularly relevant.
The first two days of the MES 2023 were dedicated to workshop and paper presentations. Meeting so many researchers who are dedicated to improving the world was inspiring. The summit’s main topics of discussion were strategies, approaches, and practical solutions for managing water resources sustainably and enhancing public health. The importance of action strategies for water problems, climate change, and ensuring food security in Somalia was recognized.
The 3rd day of the summit was dedicated to topical discussions. The urgent need for sustainable water management and the consequences of El Nino and climate change were highlighted as issues related to Somalia’s water issues. The significance of community involvement, the need for policy changes, and the role of technology in water management were also covered in the strategies and implementation solutions.
“Meetings like this are essential to solving Somalia’s environmental issues. We can create a sustainable future by working together.” Said Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Resources Somalia Dr. Said Mohamed Ali.
The Mogadishu Environmental Summit 2023 was an excellent platform to spark a critical conversation on the issues of water. During the summit, a collective demand for action plans was made by the various speakers for addressing water issues, combating climate change, and ensuring food security in Somalia. Researchers, decision-makers, and other participants had a chance to interact and exchange ideas during the MES 2023. The learnings from the summit were shared with all the relevant stakeholders to improve the decision-making process and policy actions at various governance levels.
