Cairo, Egypt — The Federal Republic of Somalia is participating in the High-Level Global South Media and Think Tank Forum currently underway in Cairo, Egypt, with the country represented by the Director of the Somali National News Agency (SONNA), Ismail Mukhtar Omar, widely known as “Oronjo.”
The two-day forum, held from May 12 to 13, is jointly organized by China’s Xinhua News Agency and the League of Arab States. The event has brought together senior government officials, media executives, academics, and policy experts from across the Global South to discuss the evolving role of media in development, diplomacy, and international cooperation.
The opening session was attended by League of Arab States Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua, and Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang, alongside a broad range of regional and international participants.
Somalia’s participation highlights the country’s growing engagement in international media dialogue and reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen its presence on global communication platforms. Delegates at the forum are examining ways Global South nations can promote balanced and constructive media narratives that contribute to peace, stability, and sustainable development.
Key discussions at the forum are centered on peaceful development, diversity in global narratives, digital innovation in journalism, and cultural and civilizational exchange. Participants are also exploring the impact of technological transformation on the media industry and opportunities for enhanced professional cooperation between Arab and Chinese media organizations.
Somali officials say the country aims to benefit from the exchange of technical expertise, institutional partnerships, and professional collaboration that could support the modernization of Somalia’s media sector and strengthen national communication capacity.
The forum is expected to conclude with recommendations aimed at expanding media cooperation and fostering stronger ties among countries of the Global South.
