High level summit to focus on Somalia's economy

Nairobi, 27 March 2008 - The United Nations and the World Bank, in close cooperation with the Transitional Federal Government, are holding a high level summit on "Somalia's Financial and Economic Issues" on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 March 2008 in Nairobi.

The meeting will cover a wide range of issues such as the advancement of peace, Somalia's economic prospects, investment in fragile African states, youth employment, job creation and action beyond humanitarianism.

The conference will be opened by the Somali Prime Minister, Nur Hassan Hussein. Speakers will include former Nigerian President, General Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Burundi Major Pierre Buyoya and former US Assistant Secretary of State, Ambassador Princeton Lyman. The meeting will bring together participants from the World Bank, the African Development Bank, IGAD, international and Somali business leaders, diplomats and analysts.

The UN Special Representative for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, said that the meeting was particularly important as a recognition of Somali entrepreneurial dynamism and as the current openness for talks between the TFG and opposition has created a new chance for stability.

Source: United Nations Political Office for Somalia