Somali Foreign Minister Meets INTERPOL Chief to Strengthen Security Cooperation at UN General Assembly

NEW YORK — Somalia’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi held talks with INTERPOL Secretary General Jürgen Stock on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. The meeting focused on deepening cooperation to combat terrorism and transnational crime.

During the dialogue, Foreign Minister Fiqi stressed Somalia’s commitment to fostering international partnerships that would help address the security challenges facing his country. “Somalia recognizes the importance of international cooperation in our fight against terrorism and transnational crime. Strengthening our ties with INTERPOL is a step toward achieving lasting peace and security,” Fiqi said.

INTERPOL Secretary General Jurgen Stock praised the progress made by the Somali police force, highlighting their efforts in recent years to improve law enforcement capabilities. “We have seen commendable progress in Somalia’s approach to security. INTERPOL is committed to providing closer support and technical assistance to ensure that these gains are maintained and expanded,” Stock announced, hinting at an upcoming increase in cooperation initiatives.

The discussions come as Somalia continues to grapple with issues such as piracy, human trafficking and the threat from Al-Shabaab, an insurgent group with ties to Al-Qaeda. The pledge of expanded INTERPOL support represents a crucial boost to the capacity of Somali security forces to address these multifaceted threats.

The meeting’s outcomes are expected to pave the way for more concrete cooperation, including intelligence sharing, capacity building and joint operations aimed at disrupting criminal networks operating both within and beyond Somalia’s borders.

This engagement at the UN General Assembly marks a pivotal moment in Somalia’s international relations, and demonstrates its proactive stance in seeking global support to strengthen its internal security framework. As Somalia navigates its path to stability, such international support could play a decisive role in its success against terrorism and organized crime.