Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation of Somaliland Hon. Mohamed Behi Yonis reached Cape Town yesterday. The Minister was accompanied by Senior Advisor, Nima Elmi, and was warmly greeted by representatives from the Somaliland Diaspora in South Africa as well as South Africa’s protocol authorities at the airport.
Minister Yonis is in Cape Town to attend the 25th World Economic Forum on Africa, which the Government of South Africa hosts this year. The Forum is taking place 3 – 5 June and this year the theme is “Then and Now: Imagining Africa’s Future”. It is the largest high-profile event bringing Governments and business leaders together to discuss Africa and African issues. More than 1250 participants from business, politics, academia, civil society and the media attending and including 90 senior government officials representing 75 countries as well as 83 leading international companies are attending this year’s event http://www.weforum.org/events/world-economic-forum-africa-2015.
The Forum (considered the “Davos of Africa”) will focus on how far Africa has gone economically, socially and politically since 1990 when the first forum was held in Cape Town. It will provide an opportunity for participants to reflect on what lessons have been learned and progress made in the last 25 years whilst shaping how to move forward for the continent. The programme is based on three main pillars of enabling markets, marshalling resources and inspiring creativity.
Minister Yonis’ participation in this event as a speaker is significant opportunity for the Republic of Somaliland to promote its thriving environment, opportunities for international cooperation and draw foreign investment to the country whilst also serving as a gateway for the region in line with the National Development Plan and Somaliland’s Vision 2030.
Press Release
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation
