Geneva, Switzerland, SONNA – The Minister of Labor and Social Affairs of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Mr. Yusuf Mohamed Aden, held a crucial bilateral meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Professor Dr. Vedat Işıkhan, today in Geneva. The high-level discussion focused on reinvigorating and implementing a significant cooperation agreement between their respective ministries, originally signed in 2016.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of the 113th International Labor Organization (ILO) Conference, saw both ministers express a strong commitment to advancing shared goals in labor development. Somalia’s Ambassador to Geneva, Ambassador Khadra Duale, was also present, signaling the diplomatic importance of the engagement.
During the discussions, the primary focus was on activating the dormant 2016 agreement, which aims to foster deeper collaboration in areas of labor policy and social welfare. Professor Dr. Vedat Işıkhan, Turkey’s Minister of Labor, affirmed his country’s readiness to proceed with the implementation, recognizing its potential to significantly contribute to job creation and the enhancement of skills and experience among Somali workers. To expedite this process, Minister Işıkhan announced the immediate appointment of a technical committee dedicated to accelerating the necessary groundwork.
Minister Yusuf Mohamed Aden conveyed Somalia’s profound gratitude for Turkey’s enduring support to the Horn of Africa nation. He highlighted the pressing challenge of unemployment within Somalia, particularly among its burgeoning youth population, and the critical need for sustainable job opportunities. Minister Aden assured his Turkish counterpart of Somalia’s readiness to undertake all requisite measures to facilitate the agreement’s activation and address these urgent national priorities.
This bilateral engagement is part of a series of strategic meetings being conducted by Minister Aden and his delegation in Geneva. As a key participant in the 113th International Labor Organization Conference, the Somali Minister is engaging with various heads of state and representatives from international organizations. These interactions aim to forge new partnerships and strengthen existing ones, all geared towards addressing Somalia’s socio-economic development needs. Minister Aden is scheduled to deliver a significant address at the conference tomorrow, where he is expected to further articulate Somalia’s vision and challenges in the global labor landscape.
The renewed commitment to the 2016 agreement stands as a clear indicator of the deepening ties between Somalia and Turkey, particularly in areas crucial for human capital development and economic stability. Its successful implementation is anticipated to provide valuable pathways for skills transfer, vocational training, and employment generation, offering tangible benefits to Somali citizens and reinforcing the nation’s ongoing recovery and development efforts.
