On the sidelines of the 51st OIC Ministerial Meeting, Somalia and Azerbaijan reaffirmed their growing diplomatic partnership during a key meeting between their foreign ministers.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Somalia, H.E. Abdisalam Abdi Ali, held a productive bilateral meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart, H.E. Jeyhun Bayramov, to discuss ways to enhance cooperation and strengthen bilateral relations.
Somalia and Azerbaijan: Diplomatic Relations Gaining Momentum Since 2019
Both ministers expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of Somalia-Azerbaijan relations since the formal establishment of diplomatic ties in 2019.
They highlighted President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s visit to Baku in February 2025 as a pivotal moment that led to the signing of strategic bilateral agreements in areas such as education, governance, and agriculture.
Focus on Education, Governance, and Agriculture
A central topic of discussion was Azerbaijan’s scholarship program for Somali students, which is poised to boost Somalia’s human capital development.
The two sides also discussed Somalia’s interest in adopting aspects of Azerbaijan’s ASAN Service model to improve public service delivery and governance transparency.
In the area of agriculture, the ministers agreed to advance collaboration following a recent memorandum of understanding, which aims to support food security and technology transfer in Somalia’s agricultural sector.
Joint Intergovernmental Commission to Be Established
To ensure effective follow-up and implementation of agreed initiatives, the ministers agreed to establish a Joint Intergovernmental Commission.
The commission will meet regularly on a rotating basis between Somalia and Azerbaijan to explore new areas of partnership and monitor progress.
Multilateral Cooperation for Shared Prosperity
The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to expand cooperation on multilateral platforms, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and the United Nations (UN).
Both Somalia and Azerbaijan pledged to work on issues related to peace, development, and shared prosperity.
