Somalia’s Climate Finance Mission in Mogadishu enhances access to global funds, supporting resilience, adaptation, and sustainable development.
A five-day Strategic Climate Finance Advisory Mission, known as the “Somalia Trial” forum, concluded today in Mogadishu, bringing together national and international stakeholders to address climate change and enhance Somalia’s access to climate finance. Led by the National Climate Change Fund of Somalia (NFC), the forum focused on assessing Somalia’s climate finance needs, reviewing existing financial mechanisms, and exploring new avenues to support sustainable development and climate resilience.
Throughout the sessions, participants conducted an in-depth review of Somalia’s climate finance requirements and engaged in discussions with the Somali Bankers Association on financial innovation and the NFC’s leadership. These engagements aim to inform a special program being prepared for national banks to strengthen access to climate finance under Somalia’s national climate change framework.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Finance, the Somalia Development and Reconstruction Bank (SDRB), and the National Climate Change Fund presented detailed reports on current pathways for accessing climate-related funding. Focus areas included opportunities under the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Adaptation Fund, as well as strategies to enhance national ownership and direct access to international climate finance.
“This five-day forum has been crucial in helping the Federal Government of Somalia prepare for direct access to climate finance and manage it in line with improving national systems,” said Liban Obsiye, Executive Director of the NFC.
Despite being one of the lowest greenhouse gas emitters globally, Somalia remains highly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change. Currently, the country relies on international and national entities accredited by the GCF and Adaptation Fund to implement climate projects. The forum emphasized the need to build national capacity to directly manage and utilize climate funds effectively, ensuring that projects align with local priorities and development needs.
The event was attended by senior representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Planning, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Economic Council, and technical partners from the UK FCDO Pioneer Country Trials, which Somalia joined during COP28 two years ago. These partnerships continue to provide technical support and guidance to the NFC, enhancing Somalia’s ability to leverage climate finance for national development and climate adaptation initiatives.
The “Somalia Trial” forum marks a significant step forward in strengthening the country’s climate finance ecosystem, enhancing transparency, accountability, and coordination across government institutions and financial actors. By aligning national priorities with global funding mechanisms, Somalia aims to build resilience, promote sustainable development, and secure a safer and more climate-resilient future for its communities.
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