World Environment Day, celebrated on June 5th each year, is a global platform for raising awareness and taking action on pressing environmental issues. This annual event, established by the United Nations in 1974, has grown to become a pivotal occasion for encouraging worldwide consciousness and actions to protect our environment. This year’s theme for World Environment Day 2024 is “Ecosystem Restoration,” emphasizing the need for efforts in restoring damaged ecosystems and conserving the natural environment.  In Somalia, World Environment Day is of significant importance considering the challenges the country grapples with, from droughts to pest invasions. These major environmental issues are attributed to climate change, deforestation, and desertification.  The President of Somalia Dr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud recently launched the Green Somalia Campaign to promote collective action in the climate action space. The Green Somalia Campaign is an initiative aimed at combating environmental degradation, promoting reforestation, and encouraging sustainable practices among the citizens.  As the world focuses on ecosystem restoration, Somalia’s efforts through the Green Somalia Campaign can serve as an inspiring example of environmental stewardship in action. Citizens are crucial players in restorative actions; hence the initiative sets up campaigns aligned with the goals of World Environment Day, considering their important role in Somalia’s environmental strategy.  Notably, Somalia’s community awareness regarding environmental issues isn’t uniform. In urban centers like Mogadishu, there is a growing recognition of the importance of environmental conservation. However, in rural areas, where the majority of the population resides, knowledge and awareness about environmental issues and sustainable practices remain limited.  This information is mainly shared and championed by local NGOs, international organizations, and government initiatives. However, rural citizens, living traditional lifestyles with limited access to education and information, face significant barriers to widespread environmental awareness. Therefore, the initiative aims to share information across populations, collectively calling for action among the citizenry in response to challenges arising from climate change.  The Green Somalia Campaign seeks to address the challenges faced, particularly aridness, severe droughts, desertification, and deforestation for charcoal production and agricultural expansion. These activities further degrade the land, reducing its ability to support vegetation and contributing to soil erosion.   According to the Green Somalia Campaign, the success of the initiative relies on community engagement through civic education and incentives for locals to adopt sustainable measures, facilitated by their local leaders and organizations.    Policymakers also play an essential role by creating suitable policies and governance structures to support the campaign’s objectives. This includes enforcing regulations on deforestation, promoting sustainable land use practices, and supporting alternative livelihoods to reduce dependence on environmentally harmful activities.    The Green Somalia Campaign focuses on reforestation and afforestation efforts to mitigate these impacts. Planting trees not only helps restore degraded lands but also improves soil quality, enhances water retention, and provides habitats for wildlife.    Successful actions already undertaken include projects by youth, such as the voluntary cleanup at Lido Beach every Friday morning. Additionally, students and members from various community sectors actively participate in educating the community about environmental stewardship and encouraging them to contribute to the beauty of their surroundings by planting trees.  Conclusion  World Environment Day serves as a reminder of our common responsibilities to maintain and restore our environment. In Somalia, the Green Somalia Campaign represents a significant step towards addressing the country’s environmental concerns. By raising awareness, supporting reforestation, and encouraging sustainable habits, Somalia may advance towards a greener and more sustainable future. However, tackling the challenges of funds, community participation, policy support, and climate resilience will be vital to the campaign’s success.

  I landed in Beijing on May 18, I had the privilege of representing Somalia at the China-Africa Youth Festival, an initiative aimed at fostering stronger ties between African nations and China. My journey began in Beijing and took me through a variety of cultural and educational experiences, facilitated by the warm and dedicated volunteers who ensured our comfort and engagement throughout the trip. Upon landing in Beijing, we were warmly welcomed by the event organizers and volunteers. Our first evening was marked by a welcome dinner along with setting a positive tone for the days ahead.  We started our day early with a visit to the iconic Juyongguan section of the Great Wall. The sheer scale and historical significance of the Wall left us in awe. we proceeded to the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Here, we had insightful interactions with the China-Africa Friendship Group, discussing the importance of our countries’ partnerships. Our evening was spent at Peking University, where we engaged in fruitful exchanges with students and faculty, followed by a delightful dinner. We visited the Museum of the Communist Party of China, gaining a deeper understanding of China’s political history. Post-lunch near the Beijing South Railway Station, we boarded a high-speed train to Jinhua, marking the beginning of our journey in Zhejiang province.  Our day began with a welcome ceremony at the Jinhua Administration Institute. We then explored the Common Prosperity Belt in Jindong and had a buffet lunch at the picturesque White Forest Town of San San Fami. The afternoon included a visit to Leap motor, showcasing China’s advancements in electric vehicles. The day concluded at Zhejiang Normal University, where we visited the African Museum and engaged in various cultural exchanges. We experienced a blend of Chinese and African cultures at the Wu Opera Grand Theatre, where we were treated to captivating performances. This cultural immersion was a highlight of the trip, reflecting the rich heritage and artistic expressions of both regions. Our itinerary included a visit to the Zhejiang Guangsha Vocational and Technical University of Construction, where we learned about traditional woodcarving techniques. The day also involved exploring the Yiwu International Trade Market, providing insights into China’s robust e-commerce and trade practices.  The final day was marked by the China-African Youth Dialogue at the Your World International Conference Centre. This dialogue provided a platform for exchanging ideas and forging connections that would further our collaborative efforts. The festival concluded with a closing ceremony and a group photo, symbolizing the unity and shared aspirations of our nations. This enriching experience would not have been possible without the meticulous planning and support of the organizers and volunteers. Their dedication ensured that our stay was comfortable and our engagements meaningful. The China- Africa Youth Festival not only strengthened the bonds between our nations but also left us with lasting memories and a deeper appreciation for each other’s cultures.  In representing Somalia at the China-Africa Youth Festival, I felt a profound sense of pride and responsibility. The festival highlighted the potential of youth in driving change and fostering international cooperation. I return home with new friendships, valuable knowledge, and a commitment to contribute to the ongoing partnership between Africa and China. What I have learned from China can greatly benefit my country. One of the most striking observations was the importance of rule and law in fostering a stable and prosperous society. China’s legal framework ensures order and predictability, creating an environment where businesses can thrive and citizens feel secure.  The country’s infrastructure development is another area that impressed me. From the extensive and efficient high-speed rail network to the modern urban facilities, China’s focus on building robust infrastructure has facilitated economic growth and improved the quality of life for its people. Investing in infrastructure in Somalia could similarly boost our economy and connectivity.  Digital development in China is also noteworthy. The widespread use of technology in everyday life, from mobile payments to smart city initiatives, has streamlined many processes and increased efficiency. Embracing digital development in Somalia could enhance government services, improve business operations, and expand access to information for our citizens. Additionally, China’s booming business environment, characterized by a mix of large corporations and thriving startups, provides a model for fostering entrepreneurship and innovation. By creating a supportive ecosystem for businesses, Somalia can stimulate economic growth and create job opportunities for its youth.  In summary, the lessons learned from China regarding the rule of law, infrastructure development, digital innovation, and business growth are invaluable. By adopting and adapting these practices, I hope to contribute to Somalia’s development and help build a brighter future for our nation.

The 10th Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum will be held in Beijing on May 30. Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will co-chair the meeting with Chair of Arab League Council and Mauritanian Foreign Minister Salem Ould Merzoug.  For Somalia, Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi will joinhis counterparts of China and other Arab countries to explore visions and avenues of deepening China-Arab cooperation. Established 20 years ago, China-Arab States Cooperation Forum has opened a new chapter ofstrengthening dialogues and cooperation to promote peace and development for China and Arab countries.  Over the past 20 years, remarkable progresses have been made in cooperation under the framework of the Forum, with 19 mechanisms formed including ministerial meetings, senior official meetings and senior official strategic political dialogues, etc., ranging widely frompolitics, economy and trade, energy to culture, science and technology, health, media, and people-to-people exchanges. 85 outcome documents in various fields have been published to guide and frame the joint commitment to continuously enriching the strategic core of our relationship and deepening as well as materializing our cooperation. In 2022, leaders of China and Arab countries came to the agreement on committing to building a China-Arab community with a shared future in the new era, which marked the implementing and thriving of the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind in Arab world. Since then, China and Arab countries have been continuously deepening mutual political trust, vitalizing pragmatic cooperation and diversifying cultural exchanges, with rich outcomes yielded in various fields. China and Arab countries support each other’s independence. We firmly support each other in safeguarding core interests.  Our two sides both stand for respect for sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, as well aspeaceful coexistence, both oppose external interference and all forms of hegemonism and both advocate respecting and supporting the right to independently choose development paths based on national conditions.  China and Arab countries jointly hold high multilateralism. Our both sides always firmly uphold the international system with the UN at its core, the international order underpinned by international law and the basic norms of international relations underpinned by the UN Charter. We jointly champion multilateralism, promote multilateral cooperation, and oppose unilateralism and power politics, advocate the democratization of international relations and support developing countries’ greater representation and voice in global governance.  China and Arab countries jointly promote peace and security. China actively advocates the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, adheres to the principles of non-interference, political settlement, objectivity and justice, as well as solution to both consequences and causes. Therefore, China has found the Chinese way to address hotspot issues and practiced it successfully together with Arab countries. China has mediated and contributed to the resumption of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, ushering in a “tide of reconciliation” in the Middle East. At the invitation of China, representatives of Fatah and Hamas held in-depth and candid talks in Beijing for Palestinian reconciliation and achieved encouraging progress.  China firmly supports the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights and has always been advocating for a comprehensive, fair and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue. China and Arab countries jointly practice mutual learning among civilizations. As ancient civilizations, China and Arab countries both champion equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusiveness between civilizations, and thus have set a model of mutual learning between civilizations. In 2023, President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Civilization Initiative, which was echoed by Arab countries with enthusiasm. The Arab League became the first regional organization to jointly issue a document with China to implement the initiative. Among the 19 cooperation mechanisms under the framework of the  China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, 11 are related to cultural exchanges. 50 Chinese and Arab classics have been published under the “Chinese-Arabic Classics Translation” project. Young people from Somalia, Egypt, together with youth of other countries, participated in the “Tiangong Dialogue”, providing testimony to the global commitment of China’s aerospace development in Arab world. Somalia is an important member of the Arab countries and China-Arab cooperation. The cooperation and exchanges between  China and Somalia under the China-Arab cooperation framework have become an integral part of our bilateral relations which has substantially contributed to the consolidation and expansion of our traditional friendship. China is ready to work with Somalia and other Arab countries to embrace the new prospects and dynamism of China-Arab relations, so as to build with every effort a China-Arab community with a shared future in the new era as a part of the efforts in building mankind’s community with a shared future. Author: H.E. CHEN Wendi, Acting Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Federal Republic of Somalia.