TAIPEI, Taiwan (HornPost) — Somaliland has joined the Taiwan-initiated World Alliance for Disaster Management (WADM) as a founding member, marking a new development in its international multilateral engagement and cooperation on disaster preparedness, emergency response and resilience.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te formally launched the alliance Saturday, Sept. 19, during the second Resilient Taiwan for Sustainable Democracy International Forum in Taipei.
According to Radio Taiwan International, Lai described the creation of the WADM as a major breakthrough in Taiwan’s international participation. The alliance is designed to strengthen cooperation among countries and institutions in preparing for, responding to and recovering from disasters.
President Lai said 11 of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies and Somaliland had joined the organization as founding members.
In addition, central and local governments, disaster-prevention agencies and other organizations from 21 countries have joined the initiative as observers or partners, according to the Taiwanese president.
The alliance will focus on practical cooperation, including joint training and exercises, mutual assistance and the exchange of information and expertise. Its areas of work include early-warning systems, emergency response and post-disaster recovery.
Somaliland Participates in International Disaster Management Forum
Somaliland was represented at the Taipei meeting by a senior government delegation led by Minister of Interior and Security Abdalle Mohamed Arab.
The delegation included Mohamed Abdirahman Hassan, Director General of Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Brig. Gen. Ahmed Mohamed Hassan (Sawaahili), Commander of the Somaliland Fire and Rescue Force.
Somaliland’s Ministry of Interior and Security said the delegation participated in the international conference alongside officials and representatives from different countries.
The meeting focused on international cooperation in disaster management and the development of mechanisms that can strengthen countries’ ability to prepare for emergencies, coordinate responses and improve recovery following disasters.
For Somaliland, participation in the WADM provides an additional platform for cooperation in an area directly connected to public safety and emergency preparedness.
Taiwan Highlights International Cooperation
Speaking at the forum, President Lai said Taiwan’s experience in building societal resilience could provide lessons for international partners.
The president pointed to two years of work by Taiwan’s Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee, which was established in June 2024. The initiative has brought together government institutions and other sectors to strengthen Taiwan’s preparedness and resilience.
Lai said the experience had given Taiwan confidence that its approach could serve as a reference for other countries.
The forum brought together more than 500 experts, foreign representatives and other participants, with discussions covering military-civilian cooperation, psychological defense and partnerships aimed at strengthening resilience.
Lai also emphasized Taiwan’s broader international engagement, telling participants that “Taiwan is a Taiwan of the world.”
Somaliland Confirms Founding-Member Status
Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation separately confirmed that Somaliland had joined the WADM as a founding member.
In a statement, the ministry described the development as a “significant milestone in Somaliland’s international multilateral engagement.”
“The Republic of Somaliland proudly joins the World Alliance for Disaster Management (WADM) as a founding member,” the ministry said.
The announcement gives Somaliland a role in a new international framework centered on disaster preparedness and management, alongside Taiwan and other participating countries and institutions.
A New Area of Somaliland-Taiwan Cooperation
The WADM initiative adds disaster management to the growing areas of cooperation between Somaliland and Taiwan.
The two sides have developed relations centered on practical cooperation, including areas such as health, agriculture, education, technology, maritime security and institutional development.
The disaster-management alliance could provide opportunities for Somaliland officials and emergency-response institutions to participate in training, information-sharing programs and international exercises.
For Somaliland’s emergency services, cooperation in areas such as early-warning systems, disaster preparedness, search and rescue, firefighting and post-disaster recovery could have practical implications.
The participation of Somaliland’s Fire and Rescue Force commander in the Taipei meeting also highlights the role of emergency-response institutions in the country’s engagement with the new alliance.
Why the WADM Matters for Somaliland
Somaliland faces a range of natural and humanitarian risks, including drought, floods, fires and other emergencies that require coordination among government agencies and local communities.
Membership in an international disaster-management framework could allow Somaliland institutions to exchange experience with counterparts in other countries and explore new approaches to emergency preparedness.
The alliance’s emphasis on early warning, training, mutual assistance and information sharing could also provide opportunities to strengthen institutional capacity.
The WADM, however, is primarily focused on disaster management and resilience rather than diplomatic recognition, and Somaliland’s participation should therefore be understood within that practical cooperation framework.
Taiwan Expands International Disaster Cooperation
For Taiwan, the creation of the WADM represents another mechanism for expanding international cooperation despite its limited formal diplomatic relationships.
By bringing together diplomatic allies as well as Somaliland and other governments, agencies and organizations as observers or partners, Taiwan is seeking to build a broader network around disaster preparedness and societal resilience.
The launch comes as Taiwan continues to emphasize cooperation with international partners in areas where technical and humanitarian collaboration can take place.
The WADM’s activities are expected to include joint training, exercises, mutual assistance and the exchange of information related to the full disaster-management cycle — from early warning and emergency response to recovery.
A New Multilateral Platform
Somaliland’s founding membership places it among the initial members of the Taiwan-led alliance and gives its government institutions an opportunity to participate in the development of the organization from its early stages.
The presence of Somaliland’s interior, foreign affairs and fire-rescue officials in Taipei also demonstrates the cross-government nature of its participation.
As the WADM develops, future cooperation could include technical exchanges, capacity-building programs and joint initiatives involving emergency-management agencies.
For Somaliland, the alliance represents a new channel for international engagement focused on a practical issue — protecting communities and improving preparedness for disasters — while for Taiwan, it provides another avenue for building international partnerships around resilience and emergency management.
Prepared by:
HornPost staff
www.hornpost.com
TAIPEI, Taiwan
