Leaders representing Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Eritrea described a bleak vision of a world damaged by the harsh consequences of climate change. They made it clear that there is no room for doubt: this is a pressing emergency that requires urgent, united efforts.

The COP-28 climate conference in the United Arab Emirates has been emphasized as a unique chance for the global community to fulfill its responsibilities towards the most susceptible nations on the planet.

The leaders, who expressed their own country’s stories, also reached a consensus on the urgent requirement to revamp global organizations and financial systems. They emphasized that the current structures are inadequate for modern times.

, and unity is a force to be reckoned with.

The combined strength of solidarity, cooperation, and unity is a formidable force to be reckoned with.

Prime Minister of Somalia, Hamza Abdi Barre, emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration in today’s interconnected world. He called on leaders to speed up efforts towards accomplishing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He gave an update on his country’s efforts to combat terrorism and promote peace.

The statement was made that Somalia has taken strong action against extremism, resulting in the liberation of over 45% of territories formerly controlled by terrorist groups.

Mr. Barre praised the courage and selflessness displayed by the African Union’s Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and expressed gratitude to the nations contributing troops to the mission.

He conveyed Somalia’s dedication to fully execute the security transition plan and assuming complete security responsibility upon the departure of ATMIS forces by the end of 2024.

The Prime Minister repeated his country’s request for the lifting of the arms ban imposed by the UN Security Council in 1992. He stated that Somalia now has the capability and expertise to regulate the possession, usage, and storage of weapons.

According to him, removing this restriction would enable his nation to better combat terrorism and create a peaceful and prosperous future for its citizens.

During his speech, Mr. Barre expressed worry about the significant rise in armed conflicts and military coups, specifically in Africa, and how they are affecting vulnerable communities.

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Are we ready to collaborate?

Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen Hassen, questioned world leaders if they are willing to prioritize global collaboration instead of geopolitical rivalry and if they are ready to collaborate towards a future of mutual prosperity.

He stated that the troubling reality is that decisions made by policymakers are causing increased tension, and there is a rise in poverty and hunger. Furthermore, progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is not on the right path.

He expressed deep worry about the danger of nuclear weapons and urged collaboration to guarantee that emerging technologies like artificial intelligence are utilized ethically.

Regarding international security, the leader of Ethiopia stressed the importance of a system that upholds the sovereignty of individual countries and prevents any conflicts.

“Revamping the Security Council is an imperative, not a choice,” he emphasized, advocating for the inclusion of Africa in permanent seats.

He highlighted Ethiopia’s endeavors towards promoting sustainable development and addressing climate change. This includes their 10-year development plan that is in line with the SDGs, as well as the “Green Legacy Initiative” which focuses on utilizing rural and urban green programs for development.

During his speech, Mr. Hassen urged countries to renew their commitment to the UN Charter and emphasized the importance of an all-encompassing multilateral system.

He stated that keeping things the same will not help us achieve our common goal of promoting peace and prosperity.

Do not succumb to the urge to quit.

Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti emphasized the importance of bolstering multilateralism and global collaboration.

According to him, people tend to form clubs, which he refers to as “minilateralism”. This leads to resistance to change in global organizations, exacerbated by growing inequality and geopolitical rivalry.

According to him, though not permanent, the creation of a system that considers current geopolitical circumstances and strengthens collaborative efforts would necessitate significant resources.

He advised against succumbing to the temptation of quitting.

According to Foreign Minister Youssouf, Djibouti has made significant strides in addressing malnutrition, handling the pandemic, and aligning their policies with the Sustainable Development Goals, despite facing challenges in the global economy.

The Government places emphasis on reducing poverty, promoting sustainable economic growth, and providing access to clean water and sanitation. They are also invested in renewable energy and adapting to climate change.

Mr. Youssouf emphasized the significance of Djibouti’s first ‘wind park’ inauguration, which will produce 60 megawatts of sustainable energy.

Despite conflicts and crises occurring globally, he praised the UN’s initiative to transfer oil from the FSO Safer tanker as a prime example of successful international collaboration. He emphasized that without swift action from both the region and the world, the coasts of the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula would have faced severe pollution.

Raise the status of the United Nations

According to Osman Saleh Mohammed, Eritrea’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, the United Nations should be strengthened and given a more important role as the primary global platform. This would allow it to effectively and powerfully fulfill its historical purpose.

He emphasized that the highly praised changes to the Security Council should not be seen as just superficial adjustments focused solely on adding more members and diversity in location.

He stated that we must examine the historical track-record of the institutional distortions and veto power that hinder the Council from fulfilling its responsibilities.

The Foreign Minister, Mohammed, emphasized that using political tactics and exploiting Security Council membership for personal gain goes against the important duty given to the organization.

“He stated that the criteria for membership should not be limited to or based solely on political and economic influence, population size, and other factors. Membership in the [Council] must represent the diverse range of Member States within the UN.”

During his speech, Mr. Mohammed condemned the sanctions placed on his country between 2009 and 2018, stating that they were unjust and deceptive. He emphasized the need for complete reparation and responsibility.

The source of the news is UN.org.