Japan-Somalia Relations
Foreign Minister Hayashi’s Courtesy Call on Prime Minister BARRE of Somalia
August 27, 2022
On August 27, commencing at around 06:50 p.m. (local time; August 28, around 02:50 a.m. JST) for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting Tunisia to attend the 8th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 8), paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Hamza Abdi BARRE, Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia. The overview of the courtesy call is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi stated that Japan has implemented over USD 500 million of assistance to Somalia since 2007 and that Japan intends to continue to contribute to regional stability by supporting improvement of the security situation and development of Somalia through the recently-appointed Ambassador, special envoy for the Horn of Africa. In response, Prime Minister Barre expressed his condolences to former Prime Minister Abe, and Minister Hayashi expressed his gratitude. Prime Minister Barre then expressed his appreciation for Japan's extensive support to date and his expectations for further assistance from Japan, including measures to address the effects of climate change. Both sides confirmed to work for further development of bilateral relations through human resource development in the maritime and agricultural sectors.
- Minister Hayashi then stated that it is essential for the international community to cooperate in its response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and that Japan intends to continue contributing to strengthening food security in Africa. Prime Minister Barre stated that the vulnerability of food security in Africa is evident and that he appreciates the support from Japan. Minister Hayashi also raised the importance of transparency and fairness of development finance and the two sides confirmed to cooperate with each other.
- Furthermore, the two sides shared the view to continue to work together in responding to regional and international issues, such as North Korea, including on the nuclear, missile, and abductions issues and strengthening of the functions of the United Nations as a whole, including the Security Council reform. They also confirmed to coordinate to maintain and strengthen the NPT regime following the recent NPT Review Conference.