By HAN News Desk
DOHA — Somalia and Qatar have signed a series of wide-ranging cooperation agreements aimed at strengthening diplomatic, cultural, and economic ties between the two nations. The deals were concluded during the first session of the Somalia–Qatar Joint Committee, held this week in Doha.
The Somali delegation was led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdisalaam Omer Abdi Ali, who attended the meeting alongside senior government officials. Qatar’s side was headed by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi. Officials from both governments said the agreements represent an important step towards deepening their strategic partnership and expanding cooperation across several key sectors.
One of the agreements focuses on cultural collaboration. Under this pact, the two countries committed themselves to preserving and promoting their cultural heritage through closer cooperation between national libraries, museums, and archival institutions. They also agreed to jointly organise cultural festivals, exhibitions, and artistic performances, as well as support the exchange of expertise in arts, history, and cultural preservation. The arrangement is expected to help Somalia rebuild cultural institutions that have suffered decades of damage during conflict, while also encouraging participation in international book fairs and cultural events hosted in either country.
A second agreement concentrates on customs cooperation with the aim of improving transparency and security within the customs systems of both states. This includes enhancing the implementation of customs legislation, strengthening joint efforts to combat crimes such as fraud and smuggling, and exchanging information to ensure accurate tax and tariff assessments. Authorities say the deal will bolster enforcement of regional and international customs standards and will support Somalia’s efforts to increase revenue collection and curb cross-border criminal activity.
The two countries also signed an agreement on youth and sports development. This arrangement provides for exchange programmes involving youth organisations in both nations and encourages joint participation in conferences, seminars, and youth camps. It will also offer training in leadership, project management, and organisational development, with officials noting that Somali youth stand to benefit from Qatar’s advanced experience in youth empowerment and international sports initiatives.
A further agreement was reached on agricultural cooperation, with the goal of improving food security and boosting Somalia’s agricultural productivity. The two sides agreed to collaborate on modern farming technologies, share scientific data and research, and organise joint agricultural workshops and conferences. The partnership will also support greenhouse farming, seed and soil fertilisation, post-harvest storage, and irrigation systems, aligning with Somalia’s wider efforts to modernise its agricultural sector and move towards long-term economic recovery.
Both governments stressed that the newly signed agreements reflect a shared commitment to stronger, long-term cooperation. They described the accords as a roadmap for enhancing bilateral relations in areas crucial to Somalia’s development, including culture, youth, customs, and agriculture. The Joint Committee is expected to convene regularly to oversee implementation and explore additional areas for collaboration.
