Somalia has launched the National Steering Committee for UNDP BIOFIN at a meeting held at the UNDP office in Mogadishu. Abdirisak Ahmed Ali, Director General of the Federal Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, opened the meeting. Christopher Laker, UNDP’s Acting Resident Representative, joined representatives of federal ministries and agencies, development organizations and project partners.

Participants reviewed the committee’s proposed structure, membership, terms of reference and working procedures. They also discussed the UNDP BIOFIN methodology, workplan and studies that will inform a sustainable approach to financing biodiversity conservation and management in Somalia.

The meeting concluded with agreement on the committee’s roles and responsibilities and the priority steps for advancing implementation. The Ministry thanked UNDP for its technical and financial support and acknowledged the institutions and partners involved in establishing the committee.