Despite the heavy impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Somalia has continued on the path to economic reform, President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed said in a pre-recorded speech to the 76th session of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.
Not only did reform efforts enhance trust between the Somali people and Government, he added, but international financial institutions also provided funding to help mitigate the worst of the crisis.
鈥淓conomic reforms are key to the sustainable recovery and development of Somalia,鈥� said President Mohamed, who is known as 鈥楩armajo鈥�.
鈥淚n this regard, we are determined to continue growing our domestic revenue base, strengthening transparency and good governance, as well working even more closely with our people and all our development partners to ensure that Somalia鈥檚 recovery from听COVID-19听is swift and sustainable.鈥�
Remaining hopeful, recovering together
This latest UN General Assembly is being held under the theme of building resilience through hope in the wake of the pandemic.
President Mohamed noted that people across the world have suffered during the crisis, describing this as a very uncertain period in human history.
鈥淗owever, uncertainty and inability are different: I strongly believe that we as a community of nations are capable and must recover together by remaining hopeful,鈥� he said. 听
鈥淭hroughout history, mankind has been challenged but never has our collective spirit and determination to learn, share, progress and prosper through effective partnership been beaten.鈥�
Commit to vaccines for all
Yet, the pandemic has exposed frightening inequalities in the world, and the different rate of response has highlighted the vast gap between developed and developing countries.
鈥淚t is fundamental to recognize that responding to COVID-19 requires renewed commitment to vaccinations for all,鈥� he stated.
"Human safety is the cornerstone of any sustainable recovery from this disastrous health pandemic.鈥�
Protect the planet
President Mohamed also addressed the urgent need to protect the environment. Somalia鈥檚 economic reform relies on its natural resources, which include one of the world鈥檚 longest coastlines and vast tracts of arable land.
However, the country continues to experience the painful results of global warming, he said, pointing to recurring cycles of destructive and deadly droughts and floods.听 听
鈥淟ooking forward, it is the collective duty of all states, communities,and individuals to respond to the needs of the planet,鈥� said the President. 鈥淲e must all do our absolute best to cooperate to protect the future of our planet and our source of life, wealth, and well-being.鈥�
