The launching ceremony of the Mogadishu Water Sector Forum was held on the 1^st of March 2023 in Mogadishu-Somalia, with the presence of delegates from the Federal Government of Somalia, Federal Member States, Private Water Supply Companies, and other Stakeholders in the water sector. The ceremony was preceded by a virtual event held in August 2023 in which the strategy document was presented to many stakeholders including international partners. The national strategic plan aims to provide the necessary structure and direction to a sustainable water sector development and to list priority actions that should be promoted as a matter of urgency and to address the existing crises.

In his opening remarks, The Minister of Energy and Water Resources, H.E. Jama Taqal Abas, stressed on the importance of this Strategy for the Somali Government as a tool enabling the apt management and utilization of the country’s water resources. “Water is invaluable to the socio-economic development of the Somali people, improving the governance and institutional frameworks for managing the water sector are essential for enabling the development of the water resources, and this is what the National Water Resources Strategy is focusing” said the Minister of Energy and Water Resources.

The Minister further elaborated on the need for establishing able and competent institutions at the Federal, State and Municipal levels, for the purpose of efficiently addressing current issues in the water sector and enabling further development in a collaborative manner.

The National Strategy for Water Resources Management is built upon the developmental goal stipulated in the National Development Plan 2020-2024 (NDP9). The Strategy is the outcome of a broad-based consultative process. The 1st technical workshop on the National Water Resources Strategy was held in March 2020 in Mogadishu, which focused on recognizing the need for unified action towards developing the water sector. Several consultation meetings were held ever since for government ministries, donors, sector professionals, experts, international and local non-governmental organizations, to the end of identifying key priorities relevant to the development of the national water resources.

A comprehensive field data collection was conducted in all Federal Member States to identify main principles and goals for the water sector development frameworks.

The water vision for Somalia is:

“Sustainable, equitable and secure water for national unity, growth and well-being, for all and in harmony with nature”

The above strategic vision is brought to life through four core mission statements intent, namely:

• To enhance the role of water in unity, growth, and well-being.
• To enhance integrated water resources management.
• To build resilience by promoting sustainable development.
• To ensure equity, productivity, and sustainable services.

During the launching event, the Minister of Energy and Water Resources of Galmudug State, H.E. Mohamoud Karshe, have indicated that the focus should be given to the implementation framework of the strategy, while catering for efficient attainment of data necessary to all developmental projects in the sector. Speaking on behalf of the Ministy of Energy and Water Resources of Jubaland State, H.E. Ahmed Hussein, stated that the National Water Resources Strategy will be crucial to facilitate action that address the water scarcity in Jubaland State.

The Director General of the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, Mr. Abdirazack Mohamed, further explained the implementation roadmap of the Strategy which provides for a blueprint towards the achievement of the key strategic goals and objectives, as well as the main flagship projects that will expedite the implementation of the strategy which are up to thirteen projects that will foster the realization of plans and sub-strategies stipulated in the Strategy.