Türkiye hosted a high-level meeting in New York focused on strengthening international support for Somalia’s security and stabilization efforts, bringing together key partner nations on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
The meeting, chaired by Türkiye’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ambassador Musa Kulaklıkaya, took place at the Turkish House and was attended by representatives from Somalia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Discussions centered on Somalia’s ongoing security challenges, efforts to strengthen national security institutions, and the international community’s role in supporting long-term stability.
The gathering comes at a critical time for Somalia as it continues efforts to rebuild its security forces, combat the Al-Shabaab insurgency, and assume greater responsibility for national security amid ongoing regional and international support.
Participants reviewed progress in Somalia’s security sector and explored ways to enhance cooperation in military training, institutional development, intelligence coordination, and stabilization initiatives.
International partners have long supported Somalia’s efforts to build professional and capable security forces, with particular emphasis on enabling Somali institutions to gradually take full responsibility for the country’s security.
The meeting reflected continued international commitment to strengthening Somalia’s army, police, and intelligence services while supporting broader state-building efforts.
Discussions also touched on coordination among international partners and the need to align assistance programs with Somalia’s long-term security objectives.
Ambassador Musa Kulaklıkaya has served as Türkiye’s Deputy Foreign Minister since October 2025.
Before assuming the position, he held senior roles within the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and also served as Türkiye’s ambassador to Mauritania.
Since taking office, Kulaklıkaya has played an active role in diplomatic initiatives concerning Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa.
Türkiye remains one of Somalia’s closest international partners, maintaining extensive cooperation in security, infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic development.
Ankara has also been heavily involved in training Somali security personnel and supporting the modernization of state institutions.
In July 2026, Kulaklıkaya met Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ali Mohamed Omar, in Ankara, where both sides discussed expanding cooperation across diplomacy, security, investment, trade, and development sectors.
The participation of the United States and the United Kingdom highlighted their continued role as major security partners for Somalia.
Both countries have provided long-term support for security sector reform, military training, and efforts aimed at degrading the capabilities of Al-Shabaab.
Previous meetings among Somalia’s international partners have emphasized the importance of building professional and accountable Somali security forces capable of maintaining stability independently.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar’s involvement added a regional dimension to the discussions.
Both Gulf nations maintain close political and economic ties with Somalia and have regularly participated in international initiatives aimed at supporting peace, security, and humanitarian efforts in the country.
Qatar has hosted several high-level meetings on Somalia in recent years, while Saudi Arabia has remained engaged in regional efforts to strengthen security and stability across the Horn of Africa.
The New York meeting also underscored Somalia’s growing geopolitical importance. Located along the Gulf of Aden and near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Somalia occupies a strategic position along one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes.
Regional instability, including ongoing security concerns in Yemen and the broader Red Sea region, has increased international interest in ensuring Somalia develops strong and effective security institutions.
Officials noted that supporting Somalia is not solely about counterterrorism. A stable Somalia is increasingly viewed as essential to regional security, maritime safety, and the protection of international trade routes connecting Africa, the Middle East, and global markets.
The meeting reaffirmed that Somalia continues to enjoy broad international backing as it works to strengthen its security institutions and expand government authority across the country.
Participants emphasized that while international assistance remains important, long-term success will depend on Somalia’s ability to build sustainable and self-reliant institutions capable of maintaining security, supporting governance, and stabilizing communities affected by conflict.
As Somalia advances its security transition, partner nations signaled their intention to continue supporting efforts aimed at building a more stable, secure, and resilient state.
