Climate change in Somali Horn: Leveraging knowledge amidst water scarcity

University College London and Kayd Somali Arts and Culture invite you to a public talk and discussion titled,  ‘Climate Change in the Somali Horn: Leveraging Knowledge Amidst Water Scarcity’. 

The Somali Horn of Africa sits at the nexus of overlapping crises, where climate change exacerbates existing vulnerabilities and is fuelling rapid urbanisation. Water scarcity is an especially pressing issue, which disproportionately affects pastoralists and nomadic communities. The region's unique socio-political and environmental challenges require focused attention that brings indigenous knowledge  systems and adaptation strategies into conversation with broader debates about climate change.  Recognising and amplifying voices from the region can enrich the broader climate conversation and  ensure marginalised regions benefit equitably from international support mechanisms. Addressing these gaps demands collaborative efforts across research, policy, and community engagement. As regional water shortages persist, it is essential to explore how indigenous knowledge can serve as a key  platform for improving water accessibility and resilience in the region. 

Recognizing the importance of local voices to advancing conversations about climate change, this event will feature a talk by Abdilahi Osman Geljire (Minister of Environment and Rural Development for Somaliland), who will be joined by other policy makers and politicians from the Somali Horn of Africa. They will reflect on their first-hand experiences of climate change, and the work they are doing to leverage local knowledge to mitigate its impact. The talk and discussion will be followed by a Q&A with the audience. 

This event is being collaboratively organized by UCL and Kayd Somali Arts and Culture. It seeks to use UCL’s position as an academic institution to both facilitate discussion across divisions on these urgent issues and to serve as a platform for future research, while also leveraging Kayd’s network amongst Somalis in the diaspora and the Somali regions of Africa. We aim to provide a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue, and knowledge sharing amongst academics and local stakeholders to address the pressing issues of climate  resilience and urban growth in the region.