29 January 2025 | Diplomacy

Somalia Joins the United Nations Security Council: Training Program Launched for Somalia's Diplomatic Corp

Thanks to the collaboration between Med-Or and UNITAR, the program featured a wide network of international experts and former high-level diplomats.

Somalia has secured a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2025-2026 biennium, starting in January 2025, marking a historic return after 54 years since its last participation in 1972.

This achievement represents a significant milestone for the East African nation, which has made notable progress in recent years in the political, diplomatic, and economic spheres. These advancements include debt reduction under the international “debt relief” initiative and the recent lifting of the UN-imposed arms embargo. Somalia’s entry into the UNSC presents an opportunity for the country to actively contribute to international decision-making on global peace and security.

In light of this renewed momentum, the Med-Or Italian Foundation chaired by Marco Minniti, in collaboration with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and with support from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), has responded to a request by the Somalia's government to initiate a specialized training program for the country’s diplomatic corp.

The initiative was structured into two key phases. The first phase, conducted in November 2024, spanned three weeks, including two weeks of in-person training in Rome and one week of online sessions. It involved 20 Somali government officials in an intensive technical training program aimed at providing a comprehensive understanding of the UNSC’s dynamics and diplomatic mechanisms, with specialized sectoral modules related to key international fora.

The second phase, focused on executive-level training, took place in Mogadishu on December 21-22, 2024. It engaged senior officials from Somalia's governmental institutions, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, the state minister for Foreign Affairs, and key Director-Generals from the Ministry, as well as senior officials from the Office of the National Security Advisor and the Somali Presidency.

The training program was designed around two primary modules. The first module provided an in-depth analysis of the structure, functioning, and operational procedures of the UNSC, while the second module focused on key geographical issues relevant to Somalia, particularly concerning Africa and the Middle East.

Thanks to the collaboration between Med-Or and UNITAR, the program featured a wide network of international experts and former high-level diplomats. Notable Italian contributors included Sebastiano Cardi (Permanent Representative to the UN from 2013 to 2018), Francesco Maria Talò (Diplomatic Advisor to the Italian Prime Minister from 2022 to 2023), and Ettore Sequi (Secretary-General of MAECI from 2021 to 2023).

On the international front, distinguished participants included Bernardino León (EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process from 2008 to 2011 and UN Special Envoy to Libya from 2014 to 2015), Hanna Tetteh (UN Special Representative for Libya and head of the UNSMIL mission, former UN Special Representative to the African Union from 2019 to 2022 and UN Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa from 2022 to 2023), Martin Kimani (Permanent Representative of Kenya to the UN from 2021 to 2022), Haile Menkerios (UN Special Representative to the African Union from 2013 to 2014), Khaled Shamaa (Permanent Representative of Egypt to the UN), and Walid Haidar (Chief of Staff at the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs). Additional contributors included Murithi Mutiga (Africa Program Director at the International Crisis Group), Muin Shreim (former Director of Political Affairs at the UNSMIL mission), Zach Vertin (Director of the School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University), Richard Gowan (Director for UN Diplomacy and Multilateral Affairs at the International Crisis Group), Emilio Manfredi (former Coordinator of the United Nations Panel of Experts on South Sudan and Senior Consultant for the Horn of Africa) and Paolo Busco (Attorney specializing in international law and dispute resolution).

Following the conclusion of the Executive Seminar, the Med-Or delegation present in Mogadishu, led by Umberto Tavolato, along with the Italian Ambassador to Somalia, Pier Mario Daccò Coppi, were received by the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

The President emphasized the strategic importance of diplomatic training within the broader framework of Somalia’s state-building efforts and highlighted the significance of enhancing diplomatic capabilities alongside Italy’s bilateral cooperation programs in security and judicial sectors. He reiterated that strengthening diplomatic skills is crucial to elevating Somalia’s international standing.

This initiative marks a significant step in Mogadishu’s path towards strengthening state institutions and playing a more active role in global diplomacy, underscoring Somalia’s commitment to institutional development and the promotion of peace and security.