BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 10. Cooperation
with Azerbaijan and with international partners is of immense
importance to Somalia, and Somalia is interested in building
partnerships that will strengthen its self-sufficiency and
sustainability., Somali Ambassador to Azerbaijan Abdinur Dahir
Fidow said, Trend's
correspondent reports from the event.
He made the remarks during the panel session titled
“Partnerships for Sustainable Development and Effective
Humanitarian Assistance” held as part of the conference “Advancing
Global Solidarity Through Humanitarian Assistance and Development
Cooperation” dedicated to the 15th anniversary of the establishment
of the Azerbaijan International Development Agency (AIDA).
The ambassador noted that over the past 15 years, AIDA has
become an important expression of Azerbaijan’s commitment to
international cooperation. “AIDA is an important example of
Azerbaijan’s growing contribution to international development
cooperation and creates a platform for countries to exchange
experience and identify practical opportunities for cooperation. It
reflects the value of partnerships based on solidarity, mutual
respect and a shared belief in a better future,” Fidow said.
The diplomat stressed that international solidarity is of
particular importance for Somalia. He noted that the country has
faced recurring droughts, floods, food insecurity, displacement and
other humanitarian challenges. “This experience has demonstrated
the importance of international solidarity and the need to address
the underlying vulnerabilities of communities in order to make them
less exposed to risks and prevent recurring crises. We have also
learned a fundamental lesson: no country can effectively address
today’s interconnected challenges alone,” Fidow said.
According to the ambassador, partnerships are not only a means
of mobilizing additional resources. They also provide opportunities
to combine knowledge, institutions, technology, financing and local
expertise.
Fidow highlighted the importance of linking humanitarian
response with long-term resilience. “Humanitarian assistance saves
lives and protects dignity during emergencies. Development
cooperation can strengthen water systems, agriculture, healthcare,
education, infrastructure and livelihoods. When these efforts are
coordinated, we can move beyond simply responding to every crisis
and begin reducing the risk of the next crisis having a devastating
impact,” he said.
The ambassador also emphasized the importance of strengthening
national and local capacities. “Sustainable development cannot
depend solely on external assistance. Therefore, the most valuable
cooperation is cooperation that transfers knowledge, develops human
capital, strengthens institutions and enables countries to
increasingly address their own challenges independently,” Fidow
said.
He noted that ensuring national ownership remains a key priority
for Somalia. According to him, international support is more
effective when it strengthens national priorities, is implemented
through effective institutions and takes into account the role of
local communities and civil society.
Fidow said countries can benefit from each other’s experience in
areas such as digital transformation, agriculture, education,
disaster management and climate resilience. “African countries do
not have to develop every solution from scratch. Through
South-South and international cooperation, we can learn from each
other’s experiences. Azerbaijan’s development experience and
expanding international cooperation create valuable opportunities
for such knowledge exchange,” he added.
The diplomat described education as one of the areas where
international cooperation can deliver long-term results, citing
Azerbaijan’s educational grant programmes as an example. “One
scholarship can support one student, but that student can return to
their country as an engineer, doctor, researcher or civil servant
and contribute to national development for decades,” Fidow
said.
He added that when governments, international organizations,
development agencies, civil society and local communities unite
their efforts around national priorities, resources can be used
more effectively and more sustainable results can be achieved.
“Somalia’s message is clear: we are seeking partnerships that
strengthen self-confidence and self-reliance,” the ambassador
said.
