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Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is heading to New York for the opening of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, where world leaders will gather to debate some of the world’s most pressing issues, including the wars in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan, as well as global security, climate change, and the future of the UN itself. This year’s session marks the UN’s 80th anniversary, but the organization is facing serious challenges. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the body is confronting an “existential threat” due to financial shortfalls, donor fatigue, and doubts about its ability to respond effectively to global crises. Planned budget cuts of around $500 million could reduce peacekeeping missions and cut staff by nearly 20 percent, raising concerns about the UN’s capacity to carry out its work.
President Mohamud is expected to deliver a speech outlining Somalia’s national priorities and its contribution to international peace. His address will also emphasize Somalia’s firm support for the Palestinian cause. He is expected to call for stronger global action on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where more than 63,000 people have been killed since Israel’s offensive began in 2023, and where famine has already claimed the lives of hundreds of children. Somalia has rejected proposals from the U.S. and Israel to relocate displaced Palestinians to Somalia or Somaliland, condemning such ideas as a form of “ethnic cleansing.”
Somalia has been increasingly outspoken on the war in Gaza in recent months. In August, Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali strongly criticized what he called “massacres” in Gaza and pushed for an immediate cease-fire during an Organization of Islamic Cooperation meeting in Jeddah. At the United Nations, Somalia’s envoy Abukar Osman Baale accused Israel of committing genocide by using starvation as a weapon of war. Mogadishu has also welcomed France’s announcement that it will formally recognize Palestine, describing the move as courageous and just.
The Palestinian question is expected to dominate this year’s UN gathering. France and Saudi Arabia are hosting a summit focused on the two-state solution, and several Western countries, including the UK and Canada, are preparing to recognize Palestinian statehood during the Assembly. The General Assembly has already backed the “New York Declaration,” which calls for a cease-fire in Gaza, the release of hostages, the disarmament of Hamas, and the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state.
In addition to the Middle East, the Assembly will also deal with other global crises. The war in Ukraine has entered its fourth year, with no sign of resolution, while Sudan continues to face devastating conflict that has displaced millions and pushed the country toward famine. Climate change will also take center stage as leaders prepare for COP30 in Brazil later this year, a crucial moment for international climate negotiations.
On the sidelines of the Assembly, President Mohamud is expected to hold meetings with various world leaders to discuss bilateral ties, regional security, and ways to strengthen international cooperation. For Somalia, the gathering offers not only a platform to raise its voice on issues like Gaza but also an opportunity to reinforce its role as a partner in global peace and security.
For families who once spent endless time and effort looking for water and pasture, often with little reward, this model has brought new stability. It has turned uncertainty into a source of steady income, helping them cope with drought while keeping their traditional way of life alive.