Somalia to Press Security and Development Priorities at UN General Assembly

GOOBJOOG NEWS | UNITED NATIONS: Somalia is set to use its prominent diplomatic position at the United Nations to push for greater international support for its security transition, humanitarian response and development agenda as the 81st session of the General Assembly opens in New York.

Bangladesh’s Khalilur Rahman, the new president of the General Assembly, declared the session open on Tuesday, warning that conflicts, fragile development gains and worsening climate impacts had placed growing pressure on trust in multilateral institutions.

Rahman said the session would focus on six priorities: strengthening peace and security, accelerating sustainable development, addressing climate change, advancing human rights, ensuring technological transformation benefits people and restoring trust in multilateralism.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres echoed the concerns, pointing to conflicts, geopolitical divisions, displacement, poverty and inequality, climate change and the risks and opportunities posed by artificial intelligence. He said the UN system was under increasing strain as humanitarian and development funding declined and international institutions struggled to respond to growing global crises.

The global debate provides an important backdrop for Somalia, which is serving as one of 10 elected members of the UN Security Council for 2025-2026 and has sought to strengthen its influence on international peace and security issues.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is expected to use the UN platform to highlight Somalia’s campaign against Al-Shabaab, efforts to strengthen national security institutions and the transition toward greater Somali responsibility for the country’s security.

Mogadishu is also expected to draw attention to humanitarian pressures, including food insecurity and displacement, while seeking continued international backing for economic recovery, investment and institution-building.

DIPLOMATIC ROLE

Somalia’s UN engagement comes as the country expands its role in African peace and security affairs. Mogadishu was elected to the African Union Peace and Security Council for 2026-2028, giving it another platform to engage on conflicts, peace-building and regional stability.

The diplomatic push comes amid continuing political and security challenges at home. Recent fighting around Baidoa has highlighted tensions between the federal government and forces aligned with the former South West leadership, while Al-Shabaab remains a major security threat despite sustained Somali and international military operations.

Disagreements over Somalia’s constitutional and electoral arrangements are also shaping the political environment as the country moves toward its next electoral cycle.

The General Assembly therefore offers an opportunity for Somalia to connect the country’s domestic security and development priorities with the wider international agenda on peace, institutional reform and sustainable development.

Against a backdrop of growing pressure on the multilateral system, Somalia will be seeking to turn its expanding diplomatic role into practical international support for its security transition, humanitarian needs and economic development while reinforcing its position on peace and stability in the Horn of Africa.

Additional reporting by agencies.