BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 10. Cooperation with Azerbaijan and with international partners is of immense importance to Somalia, and Somalia is interested in building partnerships that will strengthen its self-sufficiency and sustainability., Somali Ambassador to Azerbaijan Abdinur Dahir Fidow said, Trend's correspondent reports from the event.
He made the remarks during the panel session titled “Partnerships for Sustainable Development and Effective Humanitarian Assistance” held as part of the conference “Advancing Global Solidarity Through Humanitarian Assistance and Development Cooperation” dedicated to the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Azerbaijan International Development Agency (AIDA).
The ambassador noted that over the past 15 years, AIDA has become an important expression of Azerbaijan’s commitment to international cooperation. “AIDA is an important example of Azerbaijan’s growing contribution to international development cooperation and creates a platform for countries to exchange experience and identify practical opportunities for cooperation. It reflects the value of partnerships based on solidarity, mutual respect and a shared belief in a better future,” Fidow said.
The diplomat stressed that international solidarity is of particular importance for Somalia. He noted that the country has faced recurring droughts, floods, food insecurity, displacement and other humanitarian challenges. “This experience has demonstrated the importance of international solidarity and the need to address the underlying vulnerabilities of communities in order to make them less exposed to risks and prevent recurring crises. We have also learned a fundamental lesson: no country can effectively address today’s interconnected challenges alone,” Fidow said.
According to the ambassador, partnerships are not only a means of mobilizing additional resources. They also provide opportunities to combine knowledge, institutions, technology, financing and local expertise.
Fidow highlighted the importance of linking humanitarian response with long-term resilience. “Humanitarian assistance saves lives and protects dignity during emergencies. Development cooperation can strengthen water systems, agriculture, healthcare, education, infrastructure and livelihoods. When these efforts are coordinated, we can move beyond simply responding to every crisis and begin reducing the risk of the next crisis having a devastating impact,” he said.
The ambassador also emphasized the importance of strengthening national and local capacities. “Sustainable development cannot depend solely on external assistance. Therefore, the most valuable cooperation is cooperation that transfers knowledge, develops human capital, strengthens institutions and enables countries to increasingly address their own challenges independently,” Fidow said.
He noted that ensuring national ownership remains a key priority for Somalia. According to him, international support is more effective when it strengthens national priorities, is implemented through effective institutions and takes into account the role of local communities and civil society.
Fidow said countries can benefit from each other’s experience in areas such as digital transformation, agriculture, education, disaster management and climate resilience. “African countries do not have to develop every solution from scratch. Through South-South and international cooperation, we can learn from each other’s experiences. Azerbaijan’s development experience and expanding international cooperation create valuable opportunities for such knowledge exchange,” he added.
The diplomat described education as one of the areas where international cooperation can deliver long-term results, citing Azerbaijan’s educational grant programmes as an example. “One scholarship can support one student, but that student can return to their country as an engineer, doctor, researcher or civil servant and contribute to national development for decades,” Fidow said.
He added that when governments, international organizations, development agencies, civil society and local communities unite their efforts around national priorities, resources can be used more effectively and more sustainable results can be achieved. “Somalia’s message is clear: we are seeking partnerships that strengthen self-confidence and self-reliance,” the ambassador said.
