Vice Minister Emanuela Del Re took part, via video conference, in the meeting of the UN’s Peacebuilding Commission for Somalia. The meeting, in which the Prime Minister and Minister of Woman and Human Rights Ibrahim also took part, was carried out on the vigil of the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections.
In this regard, the Vice Minister expressed her satisfaction in relation to the results of the “Dusa Mareb III” agreement, “Which will at least give rise to better political representation than in 2016. At this time, we believe it to be essential that efforts continue to promote greater dialogue with all interested Somalian parties, especially between the central government and federal member states.”
“Another piece of good news is the progress of the Somalian economic reform agenda, and coming to the Point of Deciding on the HIPC (Highly Indebted Poor Country) initiative, as well as the related Multilateral Agreement reached within the Paris Club in March. Italy is proud to have contributed to this important undertaking,” continued Ms Del Re.
“Italy is committed to supporting Somalia in implementing the 9th National Development Plan, by means of initiatives related to our Development Cooperation, for which Somalia is a priority Country. The Italian development cooperation projects focus specifically on gender equality and female emancipation.”
According to the Vice Minister, implementation of the UN’s agenda on women, peace and security, and the youth, is essential for the task of Peacebuilding in the Country. She therefore stressed the strategic importance of guaranteeing high quality, inclusive education for the young people of Somalia. “It is with this spirit that Italian cooperation has been supporting the Somali National University since 1969. I hope that other countries and organisations will join Italy in supporting a precious state institution that is also a strategic resource for assisting a socio-economic upturn in Somalia.”
Vice Minister Del Re then stated Italy’s support for the new National Reconciliation Outline, and the Charter for Somalian Women that, “Along with the National youth policy, are very encouraging signs of the positive steps Somalia is taking towards a more inclusive society”.
