“Dear policy makers and participants at #COP27, you may agree or disagree with any findings and policy recommendations that are documented in many scientific research reports, but as a collective group of #cop27 and #cop27egypt participants please do not deny the harsh reality of climate change that is captured through voices and visuals by the community and other actors at the local level. Please do not forget the sufferings of IDPs and refugees who are paying significant prices of climate changes compounded with conflicts.

Somalia, which is part of the Horn of Africa and an actor within the confluence of the Mediterranean belt, should be seriously considered as part of the Mediterranean pavilion debate of issues concerning better strategies for supporting Agri-food systems in Arid and Semi-Arid lands (ASAL) and riverine systems with and through proper analysis and understanding of the coping mechanisms that negatively impact climate change. Adaptation and mitigation strategies for sustainable food and energy systems should be community led and focus on reinforcing the green circular economy by restoring / preventing further biodiversity loss in Somalia.”

– By Dipankar Datta, Ph.D.