By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Somalia, 2 June 2026 – Somalia’s Youth Ministry and the United Nations Development Programme signed a five-year agreement on Sunday to expand youth empowerment programmes, the ministry said.
The agreement covers youth employment, peace and security, skills development, climate action and youth participation in national development.
The memorandum of understanding was signed by Somalia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Mohamed Abdulkadir Ali, and UNDP Somalia Resident Representative Lionel Laurens.
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According to the MoU document, the cooperation is aligned with Somalia’s National Youth Policy 2023–2030, the National Transformation Plan and UNDP Somalia’s Country Programme Document for 2026–2030.
The agreement is expected to run until Dec. 31, 2030, with the possibility of renewal if both sides agree.
The deal comes as Somalia seeks to expand youth-focused programmes in a country where young people make up a large share of the population and remain central to efforts on employment, peacebuilding and political participation.