Monday July 22, 2024
DOHA, Qatar (HOL) – The Somali Diaspora Conference officially began on Monday in Doha, Qatar. It provides a critical platform for Somalis worldwide to discuss the future of their diaspora community and homeland. The event aims to leverage the Somali diaspora's strengths for Somalia's prosperity and revival.
Somalia's Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre, highlighted the significant role of the Somali diaspora in the political, economic, educational, and security sectors, as well as in state-building efforts. He emphasized the importance of recognizing the diaspora's contributions to Somalia's development and thanked Qatar for its support and hosting the conference.
Prime Minister Barre met with Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, to strengthen Somalia-Qatar relations and boost cooperation in security, trade, education, and social development.
The two-day conference, themed "Harnessing the Power of the Somali Diaspora for a Better and Prosperous Somalia," has attracted over 250 participants, including ministers, ambassadors, and representatives from Somali communities in Europe, the United States, and the Arabian Gulf.
Barre and Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sultan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi, jointly inaugurated the event. Key topics include education, entrepreneurship, culture and identity, youth empowerment, and encouraging the return and investment in Somalia.
Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi expressed his gratitude to Qatar, recognizing it as a strategic partner in Somalia's development. He emphasized the importance of the diaspora's expertise in strengthening connections between Somalis at home and abroad and urged participants to explore investment and collaboration opportunities.
"The primary objective is to utilize the knowledge, skills, and resources of the Somali diaspora to contribute meaningfully to the nation's development," said Fiqi. "The diaspora plays a crucial role in advancing growth and prosperity in Somalia."
The conference aims to generate actionable recommendations and initiatives to enhance collaboration between the Federal Government of Somalia and its diaspora. These efforts are expected to drive long-term stability and progress in Somalia.
Discussions will cover challenges and opportunities in education, the importance of entrepreneurship for economic development, the preservation and promotion of Somali culture and identity, and youth empowerment. Participants are encouraged to propose innovative solutions and strategies to address these issues.