Somalia’s federal Cabinet on Thursday approved a series of major maritime agreements, including a wide-ranging cooperation deal with Türkiye, as the government moved to strengthen maritime trade, port services and international compliance.
The approvals came during a regular Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre in Mogadishu. Ministries said the decisions mark a significant step toward modernizing Somalia’s maritime sector and integrating the country more fully into the global shipping system.
Among the key measures endorsed was a maritime cooperation agreement between Somalia and Türkiye. The deal covers maritime trade development, improvements in ship traffic management, modernization of port services, mutual recognition of seafarers’ certificates of competency, technical cooperation and knowledge-sharing, equality in port services, and the facilitation of commercial maritime activities.
The Cabinet also approved Somalia’s accession to several major international maritime conventions, including the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships of 1969, the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks of 2007, and the Maritime Labour Convention of 2006. Officials said the conventions will help improve safety standards, environmental protection and labor rights for Somali seafarers.
Ports and Maritime Transport Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur welcomed the approvals, describing them as a milestone for Somalia’s maritime governance and international standing.
“Through enhanced cooperation with the Republic of Türkiye and accession to key international conventions, we are modernizing our ports, promoting safe and efficient maritime trade, protecting our marine environment, and upholding the rights and welfare of our seafarers,” Nur said. He added that integrating Somalia into the global maritime system would help build “a resilient, competitive and sustainable maritime sector that supports national development.”
In addition to the maritime agreements, the Cabinet approved a law establishing a national disaster and risk management fund. The fund is intended to bring disaster preparedness, prevention and response to natural and man-made crises under a single framework, as Somalia faces worsening drought conditions affecting water and food security.
Officials said the regulation is designed to strengthen public and government coordination and solidarity, as authorities take urgent measures to mitigate the impact of the ongoing drought.
The Cabinet also endorsed other policies and agreements aimed at strengthening institutional capacity and improving public service delivery across government bodies.
During the same session, the National Committee on Combating Smuggling and Human Trafficking presented a report warning of the growing threat posed by illegal migration networks. The committee detailed severe physical and human rights abuses suffered by victims, particularly young people, and said human trafficking continues to undermine Somalia’s future human capital and national development.
Türkiye and Somalia have steadily deepened their partnership since 2011, expanding cooperation across economic development, education, health care, infrastructure and security, with maritime collaboration now emerging as a central pillar of the relationship.
