1. Setting out the priorities and aims of the Somalia Conference
on 7 May 2013
Somalia is emerging from more than two decades of conflict. Last year, Somalis in
Somalia chose a new more legitimate parliament and Government. The
Government has set out an ambitious plan, the Six Pillar Policy, for rebuilding the
country. Security has also improved. Somali armed forces and AMISOM, with the
help of their Ethiopian allies, have recovered towns and routes from Al Shabaab
control. The diaspora are returning. The economy is starting to revive.
Last year, the international community supported the end of transition through
conferences held in London on 23 February and in Istanbul on 1 June. This year,
the new Government needs support if it is to bring about real change for the
people of Somalia, and end the threats of terrorism and piracy, as well as the
scourge of famine.
The UK and Somalia will therefore co-host a Conference in London on 7 May to
provide international support for the Federal Government’s plans.
The Somalia Conference will be one of a sequence of events in 2013 that will
support Somalia, including the G8 meetings, the Tokyo International Conference
on African Development in early June and an EU-hosted conference in September
on the New Deal for fragile states.
What will the Conference achieve?

2. The principal objectives of the Conference are:
for the Somali Government to share its plans for developing the country’sarmed
forces, police, justice sector, and public financial management systems;
for the international community to agree how it will support the implementation
of those plans; and
for the Somali Government to outline how it intends to resolve the outstanding
political issues within Somalia.
In addition, we expect the Conference to:
Welcome dialogue between the Federal Government of Somalia and Somaliland
to build trust and cooperation;
Endorse UN Security Council Resolution 2093 extending AMISOM’s mandate, and
reiterate their support for the work of the African Union mission;
Endorse a UN Security Council Resolution mandating a new UN mission for
Somalia, and reiterate their support for the work of the UN in Somalia;
Agree a package of support for Somalia on Preventing Sexual Violence;
Hear the latest on the Government’s maritime strategy; and
Emphasise the importance of the orderly and voluntary return of refugees to
Somalia, and look forward to an event on this issue to be hosted by Somali, Kenya
and the UN.
Who will be invited?
The UK and Somalia are inviting over 50 partner countries and organisations,
including the UN, African Union, IMF and Somalia’s friends and neighbours
around the world.

3. Will there be opportunities for the diaspora and civil society to get involved?
A number of events in the run-up to the Conference will allow some issues to be
explored in greater detail, including with the diaspora and civil society. These
events include:
a women’s event in the UK to discuss women’s empowerment, preventing sexual
violence, forced marriage and female genital mutilation;
a debate hosted by Chatham House looking at how to achieve political stability;
a meeting for donors on aid co-ordination hosted by the Department for
International Development; and
a trade and investment event on 8 May to highlight Somali business opportunities
and promote inward investment, including by Somali diaspora