Environmental Protection Orientation Meeting Co- organized by the Ministry ofEnvironment, Range, and Climate Change of the Government of Puntland andPuntland NGO Network (PUNTNGO)

On Wednesday, July 3, 2024, the Ministry of Environment, Range, and Climate Change (MoERCC), facilitated by the Puntland NGO Network (PUNTNGO), convened a meeting at the Ministry’s headquarters in Garowe. The focus was on disseminating and implementing the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Act and improving coordination among the Ministry and its partners.

The meeting was attended by 56 organizations, including UN agencies, local NGOs, and international Organizations operating in Puntland, Somalia. Following presentations by the Ministry and Discussions among participants, the meeting aimed to inform stakeholders about the ESIA Act.
This legislation outlines procedures for conducting environmental and social impact assessments for
Development projects in Puntland. The objective was to ensure that all stakeholders understand their roles and responsibilities in adhering to environmental regulations.

Another significant aim of the meeting was to improve coordination and collaboration between the Ministry of Environment, Range, and Climate Change and its partners. This is essential for aligning efforts towards sustainable environmental management, sharing expertise, and avoiding duplication in environmental protection initiatives.

The meeting provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange views, share best practices, and discuss
challenges and opportunities in environmental protection in Puntland. This engagement fosters a sense of collective responsibility towards achieving environmental sustainability goals. Nevertheless, the
orientation meeting was pivotal in promoting effective environmental governance and fostering
partnerships for sustainable development in Puntland.

H.E. Mohamed Abdirahman Farole, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, expressed his appreciation to Mr. Abdirahman H. Mohamed, a climate change activist, and Mr. Liban Harta, Director of Planning, for their unwavering efforts in addressing environmental challenges and other climate change issues, as well as their efforts in organizing and facilitating this important meeting. He also requested the continuation of these efforts in the future.

Key outcomes of the meeting include the following action points:

1. MoERCC will distribute project registration forms to all local and international NGOs and UN agencies operating in Puntland, to provide project information for initial screening under categories B (projects requiring a comprehensive ESIA report) or T (projects requiring a preliminary ESIA report).
2. MoERCC will circulate the ESIA Act in both English and Somali versions to all NGOs and UN agencies for implementation, ensuring all concerned parties receive copies of the Act.
3. MoERCC will conduct two annual coordination meetings to improve collaboration among partners in implementing the ESIA Act.
4. Establish an online platform where UN agencies, local and international organizations, and the private sector can submit projects for screening to verify compliance with the ESIA Act and other Puntland legal frameworks.
5. Register and map all local and international NGOs engaged in environmental and climate change-related projects.
6. Local and international NGOs and UN agencies should align all environmental and climate change projects with MoERCC’s strategic plans.
7. All NGOs and UN agencies should collaborate with MoERCC on projects falling under its mandate.

These actions points aim to strengthen the implementation of the regulatory framework provided by the ESIA Act and enhance operational effectiveness in environmental management across Puntland.

Download the ESIA Act in both English and Somali versions from the below links: