UNPOS organizes follow up-meeting on Istanbul conference on Somalia

22 Jun 2010

UNPOS organizes follow up-meeting on Istanbul conference on Somalia

Nairobi, 10 June 2010 – As an immediate follow up of the Istanbul conference on Somalia, on 8 June 2010, UN Special Representative, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, along with representatives of the Islamic Development Bank and Turkey co-chaired the first meeting to discuss the implementation of the recommendations made at the conference.

The meeting, called at the request of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), established a Task Force to immediately take action in the areas of basic services, reconstruction and infrastructure, livelihoods and energy. The meeting also discussed a framework for resource mobilization and funding mechanisms, stating that these would build on already existing mechanisms. The participants reiterated the need to invest in Reconstruction and Development, and stressed the need to engage the Somali business community as an important contributor in bringing about peace and security in Somalia.

"The engagement on reconstruction and development is our commitment to take parallel action on political, security and development front", stated Mr. Ould-Abdallah. The meeting was attended by representatives from France, Italy, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Somalia, Turkey, the UK, the African Union, the European Union, IGAD, the League of Arab States, World Bank, and the Qatari Red Crescent.