President Mohamud Arrives In New York For UN General Assembly

GOOBJOOG NEWS | NEW YORK: Federal Republic of Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has arrived in New York with a high-level delegation for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, as world leaders gather for a week of discussions on security, conflict, development and global cooperation.

The president is expected to use his presence at the UN to outline Somalia’s priorities, including security, state-building and the government’s campaign against Al-Shabaab, while seeking continued international support for the country’s development and humanitarian needs.

The high-level General Debate begins on 22 September and runs through 26 September, with a further sitting on 28 September. This year’s session is being held under the theme “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All.”

The gathering comes at an important point for Somalia, in its engagement with the UN. The country is serving as one of the Security Council’s 10 elected members until the end of 2026, giving Mogadishu a seat in the body responsible for international peace and security.

Somalia’s security transition is expected to feature prominently in the president’s engagements. The country is working to strengthen its own security institutions and assume greater responsibility for national security as international support arrangements evolve. The current UN framework for logistical support to the African Union mission and Somali security forces runs until the end of 2026.

Beyond the General Assembly chamber, President Mohamud is expected to hold bilateral meetings with foreign leaders, UN officials and representatives of international organisations. The discussions are likely to cover Somalia’s security and development priorities as well as wider regional issues affecting the Horn of Africa.

The New York visit also comes as Somalia continues to face humanitarian pressures linked to displacement, food insecurity and climate-related shocks, while seeking to strengthen state institutions and attract investment.

The wider UN gathering is taking place against a backdrop of major international crises, including conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, humanitarian emergencies and growing debate over the future of multilateral institutions. Artificial intelligence, climate change and sustainable development are also among the issues featuring prominently during the high-level week.

The General Assembly provides Somalia a platform to present its priorities directly to a broad international audience while President Hassan Sheikh uses the margins of the meeting to pursue bilateral diplomacy and support for the country’s national agenda.