Brussels (MFA Somalia) – The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H.E. Abdisalam Abdi Ali, participated on Friday in Brussels in the 4th EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum, joining counterparts and senior officials from Europe and the Indo-Pacific to discuss global security, multilateral cooperation, and regional stability.
The forum gathered representatives from more than 60 countries to address rising geopolitical tensions, emerging security threats, and the growing impact of climate change on global systems.
Minister Abdisalam delivered remarks during the discussions, highlighting support for multilateral cooperation, peaceful dispute resolution, and the strengthening of international institutions. He emphasized the importance of dialogue, regional stability, and equitable development in addressing shared global challenges.
During his remarks, Minister Abdisalam emphasized the importance of cooperation in a time of profound geopolitical uncertainty. He noted that as major power rivalries intensify, global supply chains face new pressures, and maritime spaces become increasingly contested, the need for collective engagement has never been greater.
The Minister highlighted the strategic significance of the Indo-Pacific region, stating that it lies at the core of global stability. Its sea lanes sustain international trade, its digital networks connect economies, and its vast maritime spaces support the livelihoods of millions. He added that the challenges facing the region, including illicit maritime activities, climate vulnerabilities, and the rapid evolution of cyber threats, remain complex and interconnected.
Minister Abdisalam underscored that no nation can address these challenges alone. He said that security is intertwined and prosperity is shared, calling for coordinated responses based on mutual respect, shared responsibility, and practical cooperation.
He encouraged translating dialogue into concrete actions by strengthening maritime security, developing predictable economic frameworks, enhancing digital and technological resilience, and advancing collaborative mechanisms to address emerging threats.
Focusing on Somalia, the Minister explained that the country’s coastline forms one of the most strategic maritime frontiers in the region. Somalia is rebuilding its maritime capacities, reinforcing governance of its waters, and deepening regional cooperation to secure vital trade routes.
Concluding his remarks, Minister Abdisalam emphasized the importance of ensuring that the Indo-Pacific remains a region where sovereignty is respected, cooperation is valued, and every country has an equitable voice in shaping the collective future. He reaffirmed Somalia’s readiness to work closely with all partners to achieve these shared objectives.
The 4th EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum served as a platform for exchanging perspectives, strengthening partnerships, and promoting collaborative solutions to challenges in the region.