RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Somalia’s Minister of Energy and Water Resources, Abdullahi Bidhan Warsame, was a key participant at the COP16 conference here, engaging in discussions on financing drought resilience and enhancing groundwater production across Africa.
The event was co-hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Development Fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB).
During the forum, Mr. Sultan Al-Marshad, General Manager of the Development Fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, announced a new initiative aimed at improving access to groundwater in Somalia. This project marks a pivotal advancement for Somalia, which has been plagued by chronic droughts and erratic water availability.
Minister Warsame underscored the initiative’s potential to transform Somalia’s water landscape, stating that it would enhance groundwater reliability, increase drought resilience, and expand clean water access to numerous communities.
This development is part of Somalia’s strategic push to fortify its water infrastructure and adapt to climate change challenges. By collaborating with international bodies like the Saudi Development Fund, IDB, and UNDP, Somalia seeks to establish sustainable water systems to mitigate the impacts of recurrent climate adversities.
The discussions at the forum emphasized innovative financing for drought resilience, paving the way for enhanced cooperation across African nations.
For Somalia, this project symbolizes a beacon of hope for sustainable solutions to its water scarcity issues, moving the nation closer to achieving water security and stability amidst the challenges posed by climate change.
