Somalia Advances Its First National Climate Change Action Plan

On October 21, 2025, the Government of Somalia hosted a workshop in Mogadishu, where key actors validated the country’s National Climate Change Action Plan 2025–2030.

Aided Hassan Ubeid, Program Director, Somalia Green Peace Association, provides input at the workshop. (Credit:  Marwan Ahmed, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change [MoECC] communication team)
On October 21, 2025, the Government of Somalia hosted a workshop in Mogadishu, where key actors validated the country’s first National Climate Change Action Plan 2025–2030 (NCCAP). The plan facilitates the implementation of Somalia’s national and international commitments on climate change, including the priority actions identified in its National Adaptation Plan (NAP), Nationally Determined Contribution 3.0, and National Transformation Plan 2025–2029.

The workshop convened over 40 representatives from government, civil society, academia, development partner organizations, and the private sector to confirm the key actions set out in the plan for the seven priority sectors: Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food Security; Water Resources Management; Forestry and Biodiversity; Health, Sanitation and Human Settlements; Municipalities and Urban Development; Disaster Risk Management; and Energy and Transport.

The NCCAP provides a roadmap for climate change action to 2030, with an emphasis on adaptation. It sets out objectives, priority actions, timelines, implementation structures, financing mechanisms, and a monitoring, evaluation, and learning system. 

Director General of the MoECC, Abdirisak Ahmed Ali (second from left), makes opening remarks, accompanied by Hafsa Omar Abdullahi, Director of the Department of Climate Change, Abdiaziiz Haji Ibrahim, National Consultant, and Abdirahman Adan, Network of Young African Innovative Project Contributors to the COP/Réseau des Jeunes Africains Apporteurs de Projets Innovants aux COP Climat. (Credit:  Marwan Ahmed, MoECC communication team)

“Adaptation actions are prioritized in this NCCAP because of the devastating impacts of droughts, floods, and extreme weather events in Somalia and the negative effects of climate change on vulnerable groups, including children, youth, women, people with disabilities, internally displaced persons, and minority groups.” —Abdirisak Ahmed Ali, Director General, MoECC

In this workshop, gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) considerations were highlighted, drawing on the experience of two Somali representatives who participated in the NAP Global Network’s training workshops on mainstreaming GESI in NAP processes.

“Inclusive climate governance requires integrating the perspectives, capacities, and lived experiences of youth, women, and children in policy formulation, implementation, and monitoring. These groups represent the foundation of the nation’s resilience and must be actively engaged as agents of change, not merely as beneficiaries of climate policies.” — Ahmed Abdi Osman Farole, Head of Youth, Children & Gender Affairs, MoECC

Over 40 participants provided input on the NCCAP, including (from left) Anisa Hassan Omar, Greenlight Association; Sadiyo Husein Abdilahi, Ministry of Livestock and Rangelands; Fardowsa Dahin Adan, Somalia Green Peace Association; and Nasra Abdulle Yusuf, Ministry of Public Works, Reconstruction and Housing. (Credit: Marwan Ahmed, MoECC communication team)

Advancing the NCCAP through an inclusive, participatory process was critical to developing a plan that is locally owned and reflects realities on the ground. Preparation of the NCCAP was led by the Climate Change Department of the MoECC and supported by the NAP Global Network with funding from the Government of Ireland.

The NCCAP will provide direction for the implementation of climate change actions, including mobilizing resources for priority actions, guiding mainstreaming of adaptation actions in the plans and implementation of projects of sector ministries and federal member states.