Kuwait city: Kuwait on Monday called for enhanced regional and international coordination in support of the Somali government's reconstruction, reconciliation, and state-building efforts. This appeal was made by Kuwait's Consul General in Jeddah and Permanent Representative to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Yousef Al-Tunaib, during the OIC Ministerial Contact Group meeting on Somalia held in Doha.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Al-Tunaib reaffirmed Kuwait's firm support for Somalia's unity, sovereignty, and political independence, emphasizing that backing Somalia at this critical phase reflects the OIC's commitment to its founding principles. He acknowledged Somalia's progress in rebuilding institutions, enhancing security, and promoting rule of law despite facing economic and environmental challenges, and congratulated the country on its recent election for the UN Security Council's non-permanent membership for the term 2025-2026.
Al-Tunaib welcomed the World Bank's decision to grant debt relief to Somalia, considering it a crucial step towards achieving financial sustainability and development. He highlighted Kuwait's ongoing humanitarian and development support to Somalia, particularly in education, healthcare, water, food security, and youth empowerment.
He praised Somalia's advances in counter-terrorism and underscored the necessity of intensified global cooperation in addressing the root causes of extremism. Al-Tunaib also called for increased efforts to help Somalia tackle the impacts of climate change, such as drought and desertification, through sustainable development projects like dam construction and agricultural initiatives.
Reiterating Kuwait's commitment to OIC resolutions on Somalia, Al-Tunaib expressed Kuwait's intent to cooperate with regional and international partners to foster lasting peace and prosperity in the country. He expressed gratitude to Qatar for its leadership of the contact group and for hosting the meeting, expressing hope that it would result in tangible outcomes. Kuwaiti delegation member Turki Al-Daihani, an advisor at Kuwait's OIC mission, was also present at the meeting.