00:00Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, it is a profound honor and privilege to join you
00:05at the Icons of Change International Awards 2026. I extend my sincere appreciation to the committee,
00:13leadership, distinguished jury, and all those who have made the awards a meaningful platform
00:20for recognizing leadership, services, and positive transformation. I receive this recognition with
00:28humility, gratitude, and a deep sense of responsibility. For me, this honor is not a
00:36personal achievement alone. It reflects the collective efforts of communities, colleagues,
00:42institutions, and development partners working to advance peace, inclusion, dignity, and sustainable
00:49development. I therefore dedicate this recognition to the people of Somalia and to the communities
00:56across Africa and beyond whose courage and resilience continue to inspire us. Public service
01:04has taught me one enduring lesson. The highest purpose of leadership is services. Leadership
01:14is measured not by position or title but by the difference we make in people's life,
01:21leadership, the institution we strengthen, the opportunities we create, and the future we leave
01:27behind. Africa stands at a defining moment. Our greatest assets are our people, our natural resources,
01:37our strategic position, and above all, our young and dynamic population.
01:43Our task is to translate this strength into inclusive and sustainable prosperity through stronger
01:51institutions, responsible investment, regional integration, innovation, and African ownership of our
02:00development agenda. We must increasingly see Africa not only through the lens of its challenges, but through the
02:08lens of its opportunities and potential. For Somalia and the Horn of Africa, peace and development must advance
02:16together. Sustainable peace requires inclusive governance, trusted institutions, economic opportunity,
02:24social cohesion, and hope, particularly for our young people. We must move beyond managing recurring
02:31crisis and invest in resilience, productive sectors, infrastructure, entrepreneurship, and sustainable
02:38livelihoods. At the same time, international cooperation remains essential, but the nature of that cooperation
02:47must continue to evolve from dependency to partnership, from assistance to co-investment, from fragmented
02:54intervention to coordinated development, and from short-term responsible to long-term resilience
03:01and growth. We deeply value the solidarity of our international partners. At the same time,
03:10Africa government and institutions must take greater leadership in defining priorities, coordinating
03:16development, and creating an enabling environment for responsible investment. This is not about reducing
03:24international solidarity. It is about making cooperation more effective, equitable, and sustainable.
03:30The Horn of Africa is also stands at the strategic crossroads. With peace, infrastructure,
03:39investment, and regional cooperation, our region can become a powerful platform for trade,
03:46connectivity, and economic integration. We must transform borders from barriers into bridges, bridges for
03:54commerce, cooperation, knowledge, and shared prosperity. Regional frameworks such as the East Africa community,
04:03and the African continental free trade area provide important foundations. But their success will depend on
04:11implementation, infrastructure, investment, strong institutions, and political commitment. At the heart of this
04:20this transformation must be our people. Young Africans must not be viewed simply as beneficiaries of development.
04:28They are entrepreneurs, innovators, creators, and leaders. Investing in their education, skills, technology, and leadership is one of Africa's most
04:40important strategic investment.
04:43Women and local communities must likewise have meaningful opportunities to participate, lead, and benefit from development.
04:53Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, the sustainable development goals remind us that development is shared responsibility.
05:02SDG 17 partnerships for the goals is particularly relevant to our time.
05:10No government or institution can achieve sustainable development alone. We need governments, international partners, the private sector, civil society, academia,
05:23the diaspora, and local communities working together around shared responsibilities.
05:28The future development is not simply about mobilizing more resources. It is about building better partnerships, stronger institutions, and greater
05:39local ownership.
05:41The recognition is especially meaningful in 2026, the United Nations International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development. It honors the
05:50millions of people who dedicate their time, knowledge, and energy to serving others and advancing the common good.
05:58The example reminds us that leadership is ultimately about responsibility and the choice to serve.
06:06I therefore accept this recognition not as an endpoint but as a renewed commitment to inclusive governance, peace and stability,
06:16responsible investment, sustainable development, stronger institutions, and empowerment of communities, women and young people.
06:26Africa's next chapter must be shaped increasingly by African leadership, innovation, investment, and regional cooperation while remaining open to genuine
06:37and mutually beneficial international partnership.
06:40Let us build partnerships that respect local ownership, let us invest in our people and institutions, let us transform connectivity
06:49into opportunity, let us turn peace into lasting prosperity, and let us build a future in which development reaches every
06:59community and creates opportunity for every generation.
07:02The icons of change awards celebrate individuals, but sustainable transformation is never the work one person.
07:11It is the result of collective leadership, resilient communities, strong institutions, and committed partnership.
07:19I am deeply honored to be recognized among those contributing to this journey.
07:25With recognition comes responsibility.
07:27With recognition comes responsibility.
07:28I accept that responsibility with humility and renewed determination.
07:33That is the Africa I believe in.
07:35That is the Somalia I remain committed to serving.
07:39And that is the future we can and must build together.
07:43Thank you so much.
07:44Thank you!
07:44Thank you!
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