National Node - Somalia
Vision
By 2030, Somalia will have empowered Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) leading transformative solutions to ensure thriving marine ecosystems and resilient coastal communities.
Mission
ECOP Somalia aims to empower young ocean professionals through capacity-building, collaborative research, and community engagement, addressing the pressing ocean sustainability challenges facing Somalia’s coastline.
Objectives
- Build the technical and leadership skills of over 300 ECOPs by 2026.
- Foster partnerships with 5+ national institutions for collaborative ocean research.
- Implement 3 community-driven ocean literacy campaigns by 2025.
Main Activities
- Capacity Development: Training and mentoring young professionals in ocean governance, climate modeling, and marine conservation.
- Community Engagement: Launching school programs, radio campaigns, and beach clean-ups to increase ocean literacy.
- Collaborative Research: Establishing partnerships for research on marine conservation and climate resilience.
- Digital Outreach: Utilizing social media and digital platforms to raise awareness on ocean sustainability challenges.
Key Challenges
The ECOPs in Somalia face critical challenges including coastal erosion, biodiversity loss, and the impacts of rising sea levels, compounded by the need for enhanced local capacity and scientific research.
ECOP Somalia Coordination team
Contact: somalia@ecopdecade.org
Mohamed Abdirahman
ECOP Somalia Coordinator
Mohamed Abdirahman Mohamed is a Climate Resilience and Disaster Risk Management Specialist with over 10 years of experience in humanitarian and development work across Somalia, particularly in Hirshabelle and the Banadir Region. He has led community-based climate adaptation and disaster preparedness projects, supporting farmers and vulnerable communities.
He has worked with institutions like the Ministry of Agriculture of Hirshabelle, SODMA, and the Banadir Regional Authority, promoting inclusive policies and local capacity building. As Program Manager at CRAN, he leads integrated climate and DRM programs.
Mohamed also serves as the ECOP Somalia Coordinator under the UN Decade of Ocean Science, promoting ocean literacy, sustainable marine governance, and youth engagement in blue economy and conservation efforts.