Balaclava – A Somali delegation, led by H.E. Mr. Ali Mohamed Omar, State Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, participated in the Third Ministerial Conference on Maritime Security and Safety in the Western Indian Ocean. The event was organized in Balaclava by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade of Mauritius, in cooperation with the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC).

According to Somali National News Agency, In his address, Mr. Omar highlighted the transformations in the maritime industry and the need for collaborative efforts to ensure a sustainable and secure maritime sector. He discussed critical issues affecting the region, including illegal activities like unlawful fishing, terrorism, drug and arms trafficking, human trafficking, oil spills, wildlife trafficking, and waste dumping. The Minister stressed the importance of upholding sovereignty, security, and mutual interests in line with international law.

Mr. Omar underscored that enhancing maritime security requires stronger cooperation and partnerships, both bilaterally and through existing multilateral frameworks. On the meeting’s sidelines, Mr. Omar and Mr. Mohamed Fatir, Director of the Africa Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, met with Mauritius’s Foreign Affairs Minister, H.E. Mr. Maneesh Gobin. They discussed reinforcing bilateral relations and Somalia’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the UNSC for 2025-2026, receiving positive feedback and proposals for further discussions.