High-Level Partnership Forum Kicks Off To Review Somalia's Political Progress

The High-Level Partnership Forum (HLPF) opened today in Mogadishu to review the country's progress in political, security and economic sectors.

The 2-day forum is co-hosted by the President of the Federal Government of Somalia, H.E Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud and the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) to Somalia, Nicholas Kay, and brings together key international partners and representatives from 30 countries, leaders of the Somali Federal Government and Interim Regional Administrations.

Under the theme "Delivering Results in Somalia", HLPF aims to address the challenges hindering the implementation of speedy Peace and Statebuilding Goals entailed in the New Deal Somali Compact.

In his opening remarks, President Mohamoud outlined the successes achieved to date such as the peaceful formation of the three regional administrations, establishment of the Boundaries and Federal Commission and the National Independent Commission, the ongoing review of the Constitution and the upcoming action plan for the electoral process for 2016.

He said that national consultations will be held over the next six months to determine a legitimate process for the transfer of power in 2016 and stressed the importance of unity in achieving this goal.

"The future of Somalia is embedded in democracy and will only be secured through inclusivity, diversity and equal access to democracy. These ideals will be best secured by an election that allows every eligible citizen the chance to directly elect their own representative," President Mohamoud stated.

He added that the one-person, one-vote solution is the best option for future transfer of political power. However, he also stated that such a solution must be delivered without harming the future.

SRSG Kay lauded the tremendous progress made in Somalia in the last six months, emphasizing on further deliberations to build on gains already made.

"What we have in Somalia is something relatively rare, and incredibly important. We see a country coming together," SRSG Kay said.

"A country once mired in conflict that now has progressively better functioning governance," he added.

SRSG Kay also brought attention to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2232 that stated "there should not be an extension of electoral process timelines for either the executive or legislative branches" as well as "the importance of implementing this commitment including through an inclusive process".

SRSG Kay called for visible delivery to the Somali people as a crucial foundation for peace and statebuilding.
STORY: SOMALIA / HIGH LEVEL FORUM
DURATION: 03:12
SOURCE: UNSOM
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH/NATS
DATELINE: 29 JUL 2015, MOGADISHU, SOMALIA

SHOTLIST:

1. Wide shot, delegates from the international community taking their seats
2. Med shot, delegates from the international community taking their seats
3. Wide shot, H.E Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud and Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General Nicholas Kay take their seats
4. Med shot, H.E Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud and Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General Nicholas Kay take their seats
5. Med shot, senior Somali security officers listening to the opening remarks
6. Wide shot, delegates from the international community taking their seats
7. Med shot, H.E Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke Somali Prime Minister
8. Med shot, H.E Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud Somali President
9. Close up, President of Interim South West Administration (ISWA), Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden
10. Med shot, H.E Mohamed Omar Arte Somali Deputy Prime Minister giving the opening remarks
11. Wide shot, H.E Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud Somali President, H.E Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke Somali Prime Minister and the SRSG Nicholas Kay
12. SOUNDBITE (English) Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud, President of Somalia: "Over the past six months, Somalia has realised several incredible goals: 3 regional administrations have been peacefully formed, the Boundaries and Federal Commission and the National Independent Commission have been established, the review of the Constitution is underway and an action plan and guiding principles for the electoral process for 2016 will be tabled today. The future of Somalia is embedded in democracy and will only be secured through inclusivity, diversity and equality of access to that democracy."
13. Med shot, H.E Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke Somali Prime Minister and H.E Abdisalam H. Omar Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs listening to the opening remarks
14. Med shot, delegates from the international community listening to the opening remarks
15. SOUNDBITE (English) Nicholas Kay, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General:
"What we see, what we hear and feel in Somalia is something relatively rare and incredibly important. A country coming together after decades of conflict and collapse, where political dialogue is replacing the rule of the gun and the bomb. We shall not allow terror rob Somalis of the brighter future they crave and deserve. Visible delivery to people is a crucial foundation for peace and state building. Lack of visible delivery, real or perceived, poses a real risk to our objective. We must collectively face up to both reality and perceptions and address them."
16. Wide shot, delegates from the international community observing a moment of silence for the victims of the Jazeera Hotel bombing
17. Med shot, delegates from the international community observing a moment of silence in honour of victims of the Jazeera Hotel bombing
18. Med shot, delegates from the international community observing a moment of silence for the victims of the Jazeera Hotel bombing
19. Med shot, delegates from the international community observing a moment of silence in honour of victims of the Jazeera Hotel bombing
DURATION: 03:12