Somalia Launches First National Maritime Conference to Unlock Blue Economy Potential
Mogadishu – August 4, 2026
Somalia officially launched its First National Maritime Conference on Tuesday in Mogadishu, bringing together government officials, diplomats, researchers, and maritime experts to discuss the country's vast marine resources and the future of its blue economy. The two-day conference, held from August 4–5, is organized by the Ministry of Ports and Maritime Transport in cooperation with the Marine Research Authority.
The opening ceremony was attended by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, senior federal government officials, ambassadors, members of the diplomatic corps, and specialists in maritime affairs and the blue economy. Among the participants was the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Abdifatah Qasim Mahmoud, highlighting the government's commitment to integrating the maritime sector with tourism and economic development.
In his keynote address, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud emphasized the strategic importance of Somalia's extensive coastline and marine resources, describing them as a key driver of national economic growth and security. He outlined the government's vision for modernizing Somalia's ports, strengthening maritime governance, and unlocking the country's blue economy potential through sustainable development.
During the conference, the Ministry of Ports and Maritime Transport presented its new policy framework, which focuses on improving governance, enhancing maritime security, attracting sustainable investment, and accelerating digital transformation across the maritime sector.
The participation of the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen the link between maritime infrastructure and tourism. The conference follows the minister's recent visit to the Port of Mogadishu, where he met with the port's leadership to discuss expanding maritime tourism and enhancing institutional cooperation.
Those discussions focused on developing a comprehensive strategy to promote cruise tourism, improve passenger reception services, introduce a modern digital system for registering and monitoring sea arrivals, strengthen security measures along tourism routes, and establish a dedicated tourist information office at the Port of Mogadishu.
The conference marks an important step in Somalia's broader efforts to position its maritime sector as a cornerstone of sustainable economic development, leveraging the country's strategic location along the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden to attract investment, promote trade, and expand tourism opportunities.
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