Mogadishu: Somalia's federal Cabinet has approved a series of significant agreements and contracts aimed at bolstering maritime trade, including a pivotal maritime cooperation deal with Trkiye. This development occurred during the Cabinet's regular meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Somali government is also actively addressing the pressing issue of drought, focusing on the challenges it poses to the nation's water and food supplies. In response to this and other potential crises, the Cabinet has enacted a law to establish a national disaster and risk management fund. This fund is designed to streamline the preparation, prevention, and response to both natural and man-made disasters, fostering unity among the public and government.
In addition to the maritime cooperation with Trkiye, the Cabinet approved several other international conventions aimed at enhancing institutional capacities and public services. These include the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships of 1969, the Nairobi International Convention on Wreck Removal of 2007, and the Maritime Labor Convention of 2006. The agreement with Trkiye specifically focuses on modernizing maritime trade through improved ship traffic, port services, and the mutual recognition of seafaring certificates, among other initiatives.
The collaboration between Somalia and Trkiye has been expanding since 2011, with multidimensional developments in fields such as the economy, education, health, infrastructure, and overall development. Somali ports and maritime transport minister, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, expressed his approval on social media platform X, highlighting the strategic importance of these agreements in advancing Somalia's maritime governance and international stature. He emphasized that the cooperation with Trkiye and adherence to international conventions will modernize Somalia's ports, promote safe maritime trade, and enhance the welfare of seafarers, ultimately leading to a competitive and sustainable maritime sector that supports national development.