International Conference, Mogadishu, Somalia

August 13-15, 2016

the most ambitious international conference organized by the GSD in Somalia

Bringing together policymakers, businesspeople, and representatives of civil society organizations from both the diaspora and Somalia. The conference was also attended by representatives of international organizations, including the United Nations. Participants in this land-mark event engaged in a series of workshops and discussions on issues affecting Somali communities living in the diaspora, as well as examining investment opportunities in Somalia.  

This built upon the success of an earlier conference convened in the Somali capital by GSD in August 2015 titled: “A Showcase of Somali Diaspora Success”. The previous event had brought together entrepreneurs, intellectuals and representatives from small and medium-sized businesses who shared their stories, ideas and experience operating in Somalia and overseas. This was done to encourage greater involvement by members of the diaspora in the development of their homeland. The 2016 GSDIC was an event completely led by Somalis for the benefit of Somalia and the international Somali diaspora. The conference provided what was at the time a unique opportunity for all stakeholders to discuss and identify collective strategies required to deal with the challenges facing their communities, both in the homeland and in the diaspora.