The Global Somali Diaspora (GSD), founded in 2014, is holding its 3rd international conference in Istanbul with support from Yunus Emre Institute.

The GSD, established to improve contact and communication among about three million Somalis living in the diaspora, ensure that they join forces to solve their common problems, create various opportunities and make sure that they can contribute to their homeland, launched its third conference on June 15, 2019.

Deputy Prime Minister of Foreign Affairs Faruk Kaymakcı, Yunus Emre Institute President Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş, Somali Deputy Prime Minister Mahdi Mohammed Gulaid, Minister of Trade of Somalia Abdullahi Ali Hassan, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs of Somalia Hamza Said Hamza, State Minister at Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry Abdülkadir AhmedKeyr Abdi, Ambassador of Somalia to Ankara Jama Abdullahi Mohamed, Ambassador Ahmet Rıza Demirer, the General Director for Africa at the Foreign Ministry Bilateral Affairs General Directorate, GSD President Jawaahir Daahir, other figures from the state protocol, the members of the Global Somali Diaspora, leading Somali scientists, opinion leaders and international figures from Somalia attended the conference.

Turkey continues to lend support to its Somali sisters and brothers

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has sent a message to the conference in which he underlined that Turkey has always lent support to its Somali sisters and brothers, and will continue to do so in the future.

"Turkey is a true friend"

Delivering a keynote speech at the conference, Somali Deputy Prime Minister Mahdi Mohammed Gulaid pointed out that they see Turkey as a true friend.

"We are doing our best to improve our relations with Turkey and Turkey is supporting us in every area. We are grateful to Turkey for this. Somalia is wrestling with numerous domestic issues. We are challenged both by regional and domestic problems. Turkey has always supported us during our most crucial crises. Somalia seeks to make progress as a free and independent country and we intend to conduct joint activities with Turkey in every field," he said.

"Somalia is a priority country"

During the conference in which the rebuilding of Somalia in the international area, and economic, political and environmental issues were discussed, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Faruk Kaymakcı said: "We see Somalia as a priority country in Africa. One of our largest embassies was established in Mogadishu. We built one of Africa's biggest hospitals there. We see this as part of our humanitarian and proactive foreign policy. The aids by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency, Yunus Emre Institute, the Overseas Turks and Kin Communities Agency and Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to various institutions in Somalia have so far reached $1 billion. In every area ranging from the training of the army to agriculture or from the improvement of quality of schools to the healthcare system, Turkey continues to extend a helping hand to Somali people and Africa. This is what we have observed here: the Somali people appreciate Turkey's assistance and see Turkey as a model country. They become extremely enthusiastic at the mention of Turkey's name. They are grate for the support from the Turkish government and our President." 

"We are working for a more prosperous Somalia"

In his speech, Institute President Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş said: "Yunus Emre Institute's London and Washington branches are cooperating with Somalia. The Somali diaspora has currently more than 3 million members around the world.

Most of these people are close to Turkey. They lend support to Turkey's policies, our President and Turkey's interests. It is important to establish and maintain relationship and communication not only with foreigners, but also with the people who may be close to us abroad. In this context, we, as Yunus Emre Institute, have invited the Somali diaspora around the globe to Istanbul. By sharing Turkey's diaspora experience with them, we lend them all sorts of support and contribution to them institutionally so that a more prosperous and developed and peace-centered Somalia is created."

"The Somali diaspora has representatives all around the world"

GSD President Jawaahir Daahir gave information the Somali diaspora and underlined that the challenges and potential future proposals as well as solution opportunities will be discussed in this year's conference covering the four main themes as youth, reconciliation, business and environment.  Noting that they conduct various activities in cooperation with the representatives of the Somali diaspora around the world, Daahir indicated that they organize international events with local and global impacts.

The two-day conference will discuss 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.