Somalia, Azerbaijan Seek Broader Partnership On Development And Education

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia and Azerbaijan are looking to broaden their development partnership, with education, technology, agriculture and institutional capacity building emerging as areas for closer cooperation.

The two countries discussed the prospects for expanded development and humanitarian cooperation in Baku during events marking the 15th anniversary of the Azerbaijan International Development Agency (AIDA).

Somalia’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Abdinoor Dahir Fidoow, highlighted the potential for stronger cooperation in sectors that could support Somalia’s efforts to rebuild institutions and strengthen its economy.

Speaking during a panel discussion, Fidoow pointed to education, healthcare, technology, agriculture and institutional capacity as areas where the two countries could deepen their engagement.

The discussions come as Somalia seeks to diversify its development partnerships and attract support for sectors beyond immediate humanitarian needs.

Education is already emerging as a practical area of cooperation between Mogadishu and Baku.

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov presented certificates of recognition to Somali students studying in Azerbaijan under the Heydar Aliyev Scholarship Programme, acknowledging their academic progress and achievements.

The scholarship programme has provided Somali students with opportunities to pursue higher education in Azerbaijan, while also strengthening people-to-people and institutional links between the two countries.

For Somalia, such programmes are particularly relevant to efforts to develop the skills and professional capacity needed to support public institutions and economic growth.

The wider discussions in Baku also reflect Somalia’s growing focus on development partnerships that can contribute to longer-term priorities, including human capital, technology and productive sectors such as agriculture.

Azerbaijan, meanwhile, has increasingly used its development cooperation institutions to support international projects and humanitarian initiatives, with AIDA playing a role in that engagement since its establishment in 2011.

The two countries’ engagement therefore provides a platform for expanding cooperation from humanitarian assistance and education into broader development and institution-building initiatives.