Mogadishu, Somalia – 23^rd October 2024: Asal Consulting, in partnership with the IGAD Center of Excellence for Climate Adaptation & Environmental Protection (ICECAEP),hosted a high-level roundtable meeting in Mogadishu focusing on Somalia’s climate future. The event, titled "Shaping Somalia’s Climate Future: Strengthening Policies and Partnerships on the Road to COP-29," took place at Decale Hotel, Mogadishu.

This roundtable brought together climate leaders, decision-makers, and key stakeholders from Somalia’s Federal Government, member states, the international community, and academia. The event provided a crucial platform discussing how climate knowledge, both international and indigenous, shape adaptive governance, enhance policy development, and build strong partnerships that promote Somalia's climate resilience.

In November 2023, Asal Consulting received a prestigious research grant from the inaugural GEM Incubation Fund through Harvard’s Center for International Development(CID), in collaboration with Columbia University’s Professor Harry Verhoeven. This support allows Asal to advance critical research on how Somalia, one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations, is adapting to the increasing threats posed by climate change. The research focuses on inclusive dialogue between government and communities, highlighting the role of local and indigenous knowledge in shaping Somalia’s national climate adaptation strategies.

With prolonged droughts and devastating floods in 2023 threatening over six million people, Somalia’s climate crisis has never been more urgent. Asal’s Climate Knowledge Programme is dedicated to generating evidence-based, multidisciplinary insights that inform policy decisions and empower communities to contribute to climate action. By working with local researchers and vulnerable communities, Asal aims to bridge the gap between policymakers and those most affected by climate change.

“The IGAD Center of Excellence in Climate Adaptation and Environmental Protection (IGAD CAEP) and the regional climate adaptation knowledge management hub with affiliations with UNFCCC's Nairobi Work Programme Adaptation Knowledge Management team fostering collaborative locally led innovations in climate adaptation and resilience building,” said Ambassador Gamal M. Hassan, IGAD CAEP Director. “Drawing adaptation best practices from the region and beyond, IGAD CAEP's Adaptation Knowledge management portal is envisioned to be a one stop shop for best practices, knowledge sharing and empowering communities and governments to effectively adapt to changing climate in the region”.

Ambassador Gamal further stated: As we head to COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, we hope to champion climate action and the need to address runaway greenhouse gases, climate adaptation, and loss & damage agenda. The New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance is not just a goal, it is a normal imperative. Therefore, there is a need to support Somalia and the IGAD region in implementing key climate adaptation policies such as the IGAD Climate Adaptation Strategy, Somalia NDC, and NAP.”

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Event Highlights:

• Local Climate Knowledge and Adaption: There is an urgent need for more detailed and nuanced research that acknowledges the vital role of integrating indigenious knowledge into climate adaptation policy frameworks, programmes, and projects in Somalia.
• Concrete Action: We must swiftly transition from promises, declarations, and official documents to concrete action. This requires a whole-of-society approach that mobilises all stakeholders to actively participate in climate initiatives.
• Multi-Level Partnerships: Effective climate action necessitates well-resourced partnerships between actors operating at different levels. Each partner brings unique strengths and advantages to collaborative initiatives that address both mitigation and adaptation challenges.
• Enhanced Participation in International Discussions: Somalia needs to broaden and deepen its engagement in international climate discussions. This includes securing better resources for its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and contributing constructively to global debates, particularly by highlighting diverse approaches to climate knowledge.

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About Asal Consulting:
Asal Consulting is a leading advisory firm specialising in climate adaptation governance, policy development, and inclusive research in the Horn of Africa. Through its Climate Knowledge Programme, Asal delivers tailored research, training, and advisory services designed to support policymakers, practitioners, and partners working towards a climate-resilient future in Somalia.

About ICECAEP:
The IGAD Centre of Excellence for Climate Change Adaptation and Environmental Protection (IGAD CAEP) in Mogadishu, Somalia, was established on 23 December2021. CAEP is an IGAD-specialized institution mandated to coordinate Climate Change Adaptation, Loss and damage, and Environmental Protection efforts in the eight IGAD countries comprising Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Asal:

Phone: +254 20 5142700
Email: info@asalconsulting.com

‍IGAD CAEP:

Phone: +252615024505
Email: icaep@igad.int
Website: https://igadcaep.org/

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