As-Salaam-Alaikum — subax wanaagsan — Good morning!

It is a privilege to welcome you all as we open this inspiring workshop on Mediation and Negotiation tailored for the Women Peace Network of Somalia.

We strongly believe that women play a central role in building effective and sustainable peace through, mediation, advocacy for durable peace solutions, listening, collective reconciliation and healing, and bridging divides in homes, communities, and across Somalia.

Today, we shine a spotlight on that legacy and through this workshop, we are expecting to equip you with tools for even greater impact. We believe that by strengthening your knowledge, skills, and networks, you will be able to amplify your impact and better contribute to a more peaceful and equitable future for Somalia.

Somalia saw progress in the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) domain, thanks to collaborative and strategic initiatives that significantly bolstered women’s roles in peace and security frameworks, including by establishing and operationalizing Somali Women’s Networks to unite a diverse range of women peace actors.

Somalia adopted its first National Action Plan for the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 in September 2022. The National Action Plan calls for women’s meaningful participation in matters related to peace and security, and accelerated action towards gender parity among decision makers on peace and security issues, including at the leadership level.

A cornerstone of this progress, (through the Women Peace and Protection Joint Programme) was establishing 17 Women Peace Networks with a total of 255 members in Five federal member states and in 2 districts in Banadir region and federal level.

You convene quarterly to identify peace and security issues and engage state and non-state actors to escalate these issues for resolution and address at the district level, and at the federal members’ state level.

Your work has been instrumental in a) discussing critical community issues, b) building leadership and capacities for meaningful participation in peace processes, and c) facilitating constructive engagement with formal and informal peace infrastructures, including local administrations and security sectors.

We think that this workshop is more than a training — it’s a safe space of collaboration, sharing of knowledge and experiences, and strengthened networks. It is a commitment to amplifying your voices in decision-making, in formal mediation fora, and in grassroots conflict resolution efforts.

Over the coming days, we will explore more practical strategies, case studies, and guided conversations that empower you to mediate effectively and lead boldly and to negotiate wisely and effectively for positive and mutually beneficial outcomes.

Let us make this a space where ideas flow, relationships flourish, and solutions emerge.

Thank you for your courage, your vision, and your unwavering commitment to peace. We are proud to stand beside you.

You are inspiring role models for the youth, you challenge the statusquo and inspire those who have given up or do not dare to take action, you give courage to those who are afraid to dream of a better and more peaceful future, and you are living examples that peaceful alternatives are possible and can become a reality to communities.

We extend our sincere gratitude to The Clingendael Institute for their collaboration and the opportunity to engage with their distinguished team and for our donors for their support.

Special thanks to our Funding Windows donors — Denmark, the Republic of Korea, and Luxembourg — for their flexible funding that made this training for the Somali Women’s Peace Network possible.

The Network was established through the joint UN Women, Peace and Protection Programme (WPP). We thank the Federal and State Governments of Somalia, UN Women, UNTMIS, and our funding partners — the UN Peacebuilding Fund, Sweden, Germany, and Canada via the Somalia Joint Fund (SJF) — for their crucial support.

Your contributions are truly invaluable. I wish you fruitful discussions and an outstanding and memorable workshop and above all that you will bring back home useful knowledge and skills that will help you to have a bigger impact.

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These remarks were delivered by Lionel Laurens, Resident Representative, UNDP Somalia, at the opening of the Somali Women’s Peace Network Workshop on Mediation and Negotiation, held in Nairobi on 29 July 2025, organized by UNDP Somalia and the Clingendael Institute with the support of Denmark, the Republic of Korea, and Luxembourg through the UNDP Funding Windows.

Read more about the joint UN WPP programme.