The Global Somali Diaspora (GSD) has held its third international conference in Istanbul with support from Yunus Emre Institute based on the current level of interstate relations between Turkey and Somali, to which our country lend public diplomacy support as part of the global humanitarian development goals.

The conference held between June 15 and 16, 2019 to make sure that the Somali diaspora around the world can know each other, solve their problems and create joint agendas and it was attended by Deputy Prime Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey Faruk Kaymakcı, Yunus Emre Institute President Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş, Somali Deputy Prime Minister Mahdi Mohammed Gulaid, other figures from the state protocol, the members of the Global Somali Diaspora, Somali scientists and opinion leaders, and leading Somali figures in the international arena.

During the two-day conference, the issues such as the reshaping of the nation, the diaspora's perspective, how to unite Somali youth's efforts for the nation's organization, the methods for activating the Somali industry, the role of the business world in the rebuilding of Somali, the ways to bring Somali professionals, initiatives and business people together for the maximum benefit and the Islamic cooperation were discussed.

"Have friends, and stand up against hatred and extremism"

As part of the 3rd International Global Somali Diaspora, the Somali Culture Exhibition was held in the evening of June 17 to showcase modern paintings and antiques portraying Somalia's culture, nature and nomadic life.

The exhibition, organized by the GSD and Somali Culture Association in cooperation with Yunus Emre Institute and with support from İstanbul Kültür A.Ş., was hosted at Taksim Art Gallery.

Opened with the keynote speeches of Istanbul Deputy Governor Ahmet Hamdi Usta and Cultural Attache of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Somalia Abdulaziz Hasan, the exhibition entitled 'Nabadoon' meaning "Deal with art, have friends, and stand up against hatred and extremism" in the local language will be open to visitors until July 7, 2019.

The GSD activities ended with a sightseeing tour to historical and cultural venues in Istanbul.