MOGADISHU – The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E. Hamza Adan Haadow, today held a high-level meeting with H.E. Mrs. Prestage Murima, Deputy Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Somalia, to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation on migration governance, institutional coordination, and the promotion of safe, orderly, and regular migration in accordance with Somalia’s national priorities, development agenda, and international obligations.
The meeting, which took place in Mogadishu, was also attended remotely by H.E. Yahye Ali Hareri, Advisor to the Commissioner General of the Immigration and Citizenship Agency. The discussions brought together key stakeholders responsible for migration management and international cooperation, underscoring the Federal Government’s commitment to a coordinated and whole-of-government approach to migration governance.
During the meeting, both sides reviewed the longstanding partnership between Somalia and IOM and assessed progress made in supporting migration-related reforms across the country. Discussions focused on strengthening institutional capacities, enhancing policy development, improving migration management systems, and promoting effective coordination among government institutions responsible for immigration, border management, citizenship services, labor mobility, and diaspora affairs.
The Permanent Secretary reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to developing comprehensive and sustainable migration policies that address current challenges while maximizing the positive contributions of migration to national development. He emphasized that effective migration governance is essential to protecting the rights, dignity, and welfare of migrants, strengthening national security, and supporting economic growth.
“Somalia recognizes the transformative role that well-managed migration can play in advancing economic opportunity, regional integration, and sustainable development. Our Government remains committed to working closely with international partners to ensure that migration policies and programs are aligned with our national priorities, sovereignty, and legal frameworks,” said Permanent Secretary Hamza Adan Haadow.
The discussions also examined strategies for addressing irregular migration, migrant smuggling, and human trafficking through stronger institutional cooperation, public awareness campaigns, capacity-building initiatives, and enhanced regional and international partnerships. Participants stressed the importance of tackling the underlying factors that contribute to irregular migration while creating safe and legal migration pathways that provide greater opportunities for Somali citizens.
Special attention was given to the importance of strengthening border governance and modernizing migration management systems through the use of technology, improved data collection, and enhanced information-sharing mechanisms. Both sides acknowledged that accurate and reliable migration data is critical for evidence-based policymaking, effective planning, and the delivery of responsive public services.
Mrs. Prestage Murima commended the Federal Government of Somalia for its continued efforts to strengthen migration governance and institutional effectiveness. She reaffirmed IOM’s commitment to supporting Somalia through technical assistance, policy advisory services, capacity-building programs, migration data management initiatives, and efforts aimed at protecting vulnerable migrants and facilitating regular migration pathways.
The meeting further explored opportunities for collaboration on diaspora engagement, labor migration frameworks, skills mobility programs, border management modernization, and support for returning migrants, refugees, and internally displaced persons. Participants noted that enhanced cooperation in these areas can contribute significantly to national development, social cohesion, and long-term resilience.
Both parties highlighted the importance of maintaining close coordination and regular dialogue to address evolving migration trends and emerging challenges. They agreed to continue technical consultations and joint initiatives aimed at strengthening Somalia’s migration governance architecture and supporting the implementation of national migration priorities.
The Federal Government expressed its appreciation for IOM’s longstanding partnership and valuable support in advancing Somalia’s migration governance objectives. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to deepening collaboration and promoting a migration framework that is effective, rights-based, secure, and responsive to the needs of Somalia and its citizens.
The discussions reflected the strong and growing partnership between the Federal Republic of Somalia and IOM, as both sides continue working together to advance safe, orderly, and regular migration while contributing to peace, stability, and sustainable development across Somalia and the wider region.
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