TAIPEI, Taiwan (HornPost) Minister of Interior and National Security of the Republic of Somaliland, Abdalle Mohamed Arab, met with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te at the Presidential Office in Taipei during an official working visit by a Somaliland delegation.
The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between Somaliland and Taiwan, with particular attention to security, public safety, disaster preparedness, emergency response and cooperation between government institutions.
Minister Abdalle and the delegation discussed Somaliland’s interest in expanding international cooperation in security and disaster-management preparedness, areas viewed by Somaliland authorities as important to protecting communities and strengthening the capacity of national institutions.
President Lai also emphasized the importance of continued cooperation between Taiwan and Somaliland in areas of mutual interest.
The meeting came as Taiwan hosted the launch of the World Alliance for Disaster Management (WADM), a new international network focused on strengthening cooperation in disaster preparedness and response.
Taiwan President Lai announced the establishment of WADM on September 19 during the 2026 Resilient Taiwan for Sustainable Democracy International Forum in Taipei. Taiwan’s Central News Agency reported that Taiwan, 11 of its diplomatic allies and Somaliland are founding members, while 21 other countries are participating as observers or partners.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said WADM will promote joint training, exercises, coordinated actions and information sharing to strengthen international disaster-prevention and response capabilities. The alliance’s founding ceremony and first conference are being held in Taipei from September 19 to 21.
Somaliland Joins Taiwan-Led Disaster Management Alliance
Somaliland’s participation in WADM places it among the founding members of a new international framework focused on disaster management and emergency preparedness.
A report by Horn Diplomat, citing Somaliland’s Foreign Ministry, said Somaliland had joined WADM as a founding member, describing the move as part of its broader international engagement in disaster preparedness and emergency response.
The alliance is intended to facilitate cooperation among governments, disaster-management institutions and other organizations on issues including preparedness, response capabilities, technical expertise and the exchange of information.
For Somaliland, participation provides an additional framework for cooperation in areas such as emergency management, civil protection, disaster-risk reduction and institutional capacity-building.
Somaliland Delegation in Taiwan
Minister Abdalle is leading a Somaliland delegation visiting Taiwan as part of the country’s engagement in the disaster-management meetings and related official activities.
The visit also comes amid expanding cooperation between Somaliland and Taiwan across several sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, information and communications technology, education and institutional capacity-building.
The Somaliland Representative Office in Taiwan said in August that Taiwan’s International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) had been working with Somaliland since 2020 on projects involving healthcare, agriculture, ICT and e-government, cybersecurity, education and institutional capacity-building.
Security and Maritime Cooperation
Security cooperation has also become part of the expanding relationship between Somaliland and Taiwan.
In July 2025, Taiwan and Somaliland signed a Coast Guard Cooperation Agreement in Taipei. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said the agreement marked a new stage in bilateral maritime cooperation and reflected the two sides’ intention to strengthen cooperation and pursue shared goals.
The Somaliland Representative Office in Taiwan said the agreement covers maritime cooperation and builds on discussions between the two sides, with the agreement signed by Somaliland Coast Guard Commander Admiral Ahmed Hurre Hariye and Taiwan Coast Guard Administration Director-General Chang Chung-lung.
Taiwan President Lai also met Somaliland’s then-Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Adam during that visit and said the coast guard agreement would open a new chapter in maritime cooperation between Taiwan and Somaliland.
Wider Somaliland-Taiwan Cooperation
The latest meeting in Taipei follows several years of expanding engagement between Somaliland and Taiwan after the two sides established representative offices in 2020.
Their cooperation has expanded beyond diplomatic engagement to include development, healthcare, agriculture, education, technology, cybersecurity, maritime security and institutional development. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry has described the relationship as covering a range of areas under its broader cooperation framework with Somaliland.
The meeting between Minister Abdalle and President Lai therefore comes as both sides continue to develop cooperation in areas ranging from disaster preparedness and emergency response to maritime security and institutional capacity-building.
For Somaliland, the delegation’s participation in the newly established World Alliance for Disaster Management adds another dimension to its engagement with Taiwan and other international partners on disaster preparedness and public safety.
Prepared by:
Horn post staff
TAIPEI, Taiwan
