Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Water and Energy Resources, Minister of Education, DG, Distinguished Guests, and most importantly, the Graduates.

It is truly an honour to join you today at this important graduation ceremony for the Master of Science in Integrated Water Management.

Sweden and Somalia share a longstanding and deep partnership, one built on not only diplomacy and development cooperation, but also the vibrant Somali community in Sweden, which constitutes 1% of our population. We share a lot of ties between our countries.

Our partnership with Somalia spans decades, particularly in support to agricultural and pastoral communities, in water management, food security, increased disaster risk reduction and humanitarian support.

Sweden has been and will be a continued partner in the journey of a prosperous Somalia, where the population is resilient to the increasing climate shocks we are currently experiencing, and investments are implemented. Each and every one of you that graduate here today will be important key actors to develop Somalia, and we are very happy to have been a part of your journey. 

We are so happy to have been able to extend our support with a six-month internship program, in collaboration with UNDP. We hope this will be a good steppingstone for you to get experience and knowledge for your future positions and careers.

We have met and discussed with several of you graduates during your studies and asked about your future. You come from many different parts of Somalia and its touching that all of you aim go back to support your local communities. I believe that spirit is exactly what is going to develop Somalia in the long run.

If I have one advise for your future, its to surround yourself with people that believe in you and supports your dreams. Don’t let anyone stop you or tell you it’s impossible.

Thank you, and I truly wish you all the best of luck in the future.

(Speech delivered by the H.E. Ambassador of Sweden to Somalia at the graduation ceremony for the Master of Science in Integrated, Water Resources Management (IWRM) at the Somali National University in Mogadishu on 28 November 2024)