International Development Minister Nick Hurd represented the UK last week at the High Level Partnership Forum (HLPF) on Somalia. The meeting was held in Istanbul and hosted by the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The Forum brought together the Federal Government of Somalia with its international partners to take stock of progress in achieving its peace building and state building goals, set out in the New Deal Compact. The HLPF meets once a year at Ministerial level, with the venue alternating between Somalia’s international partners.
Speaking after the meeting, Minister Hurd said:
“A stable, secure and prosperous Somalia is not only important for the Somali people, it is firmly in Britain’s national interest.
We will continue to support the country as it tackles the barriers to its development and urge the Government of Somalia to make vital reforms, especially on the management of public finances.
The UK is also providing urgent food aid to those facing drought, helping build longer-term resilience to humanitarian shocks, and improving the lives of girls and women.
“In turn, the Government of Somalia must continue to show strong leadership and grasp the opportunity to build on the genuine progress it has made over the last three years to ensure a better future for the next generation.
“I was encouraged to hear Somali leaders’ commitment to ensuring an electoral process in August this year, together with a roadmap to one person one vote elections in 2020.
An inclusive electoral process this year is crucial to Somalia’s stability and democratic development. Political progress in Somalia also requires enhanced effort to build an effective security sector.
I welcome the commitment to strengthen the capacity and accountability of Somali security institutions, including through the agreement of a national security policy.”
