Somalia, 19 October 2025 — The Office of National Security, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, has concluded a two-day training on climate change and national security for staff from various government agencies and ministries.
The workshop, held in Mogadishu, examined how climate change is affecting national security and stability.
According to a statement from Villa Somalia, the training aimed to deepen the understanding of the relationship between climate change, peace, and security, while enhancing the capacity of security institutions to assess and manage risks arising from environmental degradation.
Speaking at the training, the Head of the Department of Environment and Climate Change at the Ministry of Environment, Hafso Omar Abdullahi, said both the government and citizens share the responsibility of protecting the environment. She stressed the importance of raising awareness and building institutional capacity to address environmental and climate-related threats.
The Director of the Department of Federal Member States and Benadir Affairs at the Office of National Security, Khawla Abdirahman Ismail, said the initiative seeks to foster stronger cooperation between security and environmental agencies to reduce climate-related conflicts and promote participation of women and youth in peacebuilding.
Civil conflicts between clans — particularly those rooted in disputes over grazing land and natural resources — were also identified as direct consequences of climate change. Drought and water scarcity often fuel competition among pastoral communities, leading to armed clashes and insecurity. The workshop emphasized the need for better understanding and coordination among institutions to mitigate such risks.
The training is part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen institutional capacity for climate adaptation and environmental security management, ensuring Somalia’s resilience in the face of growing climate-related risks.