The Somalia Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MoAI), in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), officially launched the Somalia Agriculture Sector Coordination (ASC) Mechanism at a high-level event held at the RA International Hotel in Mogadishu.
The launch marks the formal inauguration and operationalization of the government-led coordination platform, securing high-level endorsement and broad stakeholder commitment. Participants approved the governance structure and operational framework, endorsed the implementation roadmap, and agreed on immediate next steps, signalling what officials described as a strong national commitment to transforming the agriculture sector.
Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Salah Ahmed Jama presided over the official launch, commending the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, alongside FAO and WFP, for establishing the mechanism.
“This initiative, which brings together productive-sector ministries, government agencies, and international partners, will align our collective efforts to strengthen agricultural production and enhance food security through a unified national framework for advancing Somalia’s agriculture sector. It will boost production, improve farmers’ livelihoods, and build resilience to drought and climate change,” said Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama.
The ASC mechanism is aligned with Somalia’s Agriculture Transformation Strategy (2025–2029) and the National Transformation Plan (2025–2029), positioning it as a central platform for coordinated, evidence-based, and results-oriented interventions across the sector. It also aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2025–2030, particularly in advancing food security, climate resilience, inclusive economic development, and institutional strengthening.
Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, H.E. Mohamed Abdi Hayir (Maareeye), underscored the significance of the new framework in addressing systemic challenges within the sector.
“The Agriculture Sector Coordination addresses long-standing inefficiencies and fragmentation within the agricultural sector by reducing duplication of interventions and improving resource efficiency through strategically planned and transparently monitored investments. Today, we have launched a government-led ASC to coordinate development, recovery, and durable solutions across Somalia’s agri-food systems,” he said.
The event featured remarks from key government officials, including H.E. Ahmed Hassan Aden, Minister of Fisheries and Blue Economy, and H.E. General Bashir Mohamed Jama (Bashir Goobe), Minister of Environment and Climate Change, alongside ambassadors and heads of international partner organizations.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. George Conway, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, described the ASC as a critical step toward strengthening national ownership and improving alignment among development partners. He noted that the platform reflects the United Nations’ commitment to “Delivering as One” under the UNSDCF framework, integrating humanitarian, development, and resilience efforts under government leadership.
He further emphasized the need to shift from fragmented interventions to a systems-based approach capable of delivering long-term transformation in Somalia’s agriculture sector.
FAO and WFP Representatives to Somalia, Mr. Etienne Peterschmitt and Mr. Hameed Nuru, jointly reaffirmed their support for the initiative.
“FAO and WFP reaffirm their joint commitment to supporting the Government of Somalia in operationalizing the Agriculture Sector Coordination Platform. Through our complementary mandates, we will continue to strengthen national systems, enhance coordination mechanisms, and promote integrated approaches that link agricultural production, food security, nutrition, resilience and agri-food transformation. This platform will enable us to bridge humanitarian and development efforts, scale up climate-resilient and market-oriented interventions, and support inclusive food systems transformation for the benefit of all Somalis,” they said.
The launch brought together high-level participants, including federal ministers, director generals, heads of national agencies, representatives from eleven UN agencies, ambassadors and diplomatic missions, international NGOs, private-sector actors, and farmers.
Participants reaffirmed their commitment to working under the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, which will chair the ASC, with FAO and WFP serving as co-chairs. The mechanism is expected to provide a unified framework for coordination, joint planning, information sharing, partner mapping, and resource mobilization across Somalia’s agriculture sector.
