New York, (SONNA): Somalia’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Ambassador Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, highlighted the severe impacts of climate change on her country and called for immediate international support to address the crisis in a powerful address at the high-level Climate Mobility Summit in New York City,.
Ambassador Al-Makhzoumi painted a stark picture of the current climate crisis in Somalia, where prolonged droughts and devastating floods have displaced over 4 million people internally. She warned that without urgent intervention, this number could rise to over 7 million by 2050. The minister emphasized that these climate-induced displacements are not just statistics but represent real human suffering and loss.
“Somalia is on the front lines of the climate crisis,” she stated. “Our people are enduring unimaginable hardships due to extreme weather events that are becoming more frequent and severe. We cannot afford to wait; the time for action is now.”
The minister’s speech was a clarion call to the international community to step up their efforts in supporting Somalia’s fight against climate change. She urged global leaders to back projects that would help mitigate the impacts of climate change and build resilience among the affected populations.
“International cooperation is crucial,” Al-Makhzoumi asserted. “We need support for sustainable projects that can help us adapt to these changes and protect the rights and livelihoods of our people.”
Despite the challenges, Somalia is making significant strides in addressing climate change through international cooperation. The minister highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s response to climate issues, including partnerships with various international organizations and participation in global climate initiatives.
“Somalia is committed to playing its part in the global fight against climate change,” she said. “We are working tirelessly to implement policies and projects that will make a difference. But we cannot do it alone. We need the continued support and solidarity of the international community.”
In her concluding remarks, Ambassador Al-Makhzoumi stressed the importance of the upcoming COP29 conference, where nations will gather to discuss and negotiate further actions on climate change. She expressed hope that the conference would yield concrete results that would benefit vulnerable countries like Somalia.
“We must continue to work together to prepare for the outcomes of COP29,” she concluded. “Our future depends on the decisions we make today. Let us ensure that we leave a legacy of hope and resilience for the generations to come.”
The minister’s speech was met with widespread acclaim, emphasizing the urgent need for global action to address the climate crisis and support those most affected by its impacts.
