(As delivered)
Ladies and gentlemen, I want to begin by of course acknowledging the honour that President Ahmed Abdi Karie 'Qoor Qoor' has done us by joining us today along with the finance minister, other ministers, distinguished Somali guests, the Acting Head of United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), Qurat-ul-Ain Sadozai, and many other distinguished participants. Thank you all for joining us today.
To begin more formally, let me first thank President Ahmed Abdi Karie 'Qoor Qoor', members of his administration, and the people of Dhusamareb, once again for their usual, very warm and gracious welcome to us as we pay another visit to Galmudug. Thank you.
Today, while usually the President is welcoming us, let me this time also welcome the President and his team on behalf of the United Nations to premises that were constructed and equipped by the United Nations, and which today we will hand over to the Government of Galmudug State. Welcome.
This location at Hero Drogo was originally intended as a compound and a platform for United Nations operations in Dhusamareb and Galmudug, but we have had to change plans due to the United Nations’ financial situation and the projected closure of the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia in October 2026 at the request of the Federal Government of Somalia.
So, while the United Nations will continue its engagement and programming in Galmudug based on available resources, this facility will now be transferred to the Government of the State of Galmudug for its use.
Mr. President, let me assure you that the spirit of UN solidarity and support for the people of Galmudug are as much foundation stones for this facility as are the bricks used to construct it.
And we hope that this spirit of solidarity and support continues with its new occupants.
So, the facility we are handing over today, with office space and accommodation for approximately 50 people, with room for expansion, has full operational capacity. This includes, as you have seen on our brief tour, Mr. President, all necessary physical infrastructure, security features, generators, and water purification plants, and even a helicopter landing pad.
Along with these items, the United Nations Support Office for Somalia will provide dedicated training for Galmudug State technicians on all systems, with this training continuing until the end of this year.
Before concluding, I would like to acknowledge and once again thank the President for his perseverance, his patience, and his commitment throughout the lengthy process to construct and equip this facility.
Once again, the United Nations’ support for Galmudug is not centred solely on a physical location.
Let me reaffirm that the United Nations will remain a partner to Galmudug through UNTMIS until its closure next year, and through UN agencies, funds, and programmes operating in Somalia. We will continue our engagement and support to the people and Government of Galmudug State as they pursue peace, stability, security, and development.
Thank you.
