Somali President Joins African Leaders in Addis Ababa for Climate Summit

GOOBJOOG NEWS| ADDIS ABABA: The Second African Climate Summit opens today in Ethiopia’s capital with heads of state from across the continent, including Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, gathering to forge a united response to climate change.

The three-day summit comes at a time when Africa faces some of the most severe consequences of global warming, despite contributing the least to global emissions. Leaders are expected to push for stronger climate financing, investment in renewable energy, and a continental strategy to address food insecurity, displacement, and environmental degradation.

Somalia has been among the hardest hit by climate shocks. Recurrent droughts, devastating floods, and erratic rainfall have left millions vulnerable to hunger and displacement, while also fueling conflict over scarce resources. The United Nations estimates that in recent years, more Somalis have been uprooted by climate-related disasters than by armed conflict.

President Hassan Sheikh is scheduled to deliver a keynote address outlining Somalia’s national priorities for climate mitigation and adaptation. His government has emphasized the need for stronger early warning systems, sustainable water management, and international support to build resilience in communities on the frontline of climate change.

The Somali leader will also hold bilateral meetings with other participants to lobby for greater regional cooperation and financing. Somalia is seeking to align itself with Africa’s broader climate agenda, which calls for wealthier nations to honor their commitments to climate funding and support Africa’s transition to clean energy.

The summit is expected to close with a joint declaration setting out Africa’s common position ahead of upcoming global climate negotiations.