By Goth Mohamed Goth
HARGEISA – July 8, 2026 – The Minister of National Planning and Development, Ms. Kaltuun Sheikh Hassan Abdi, presided over the third quarterly meeting of the Somaliland Development Fund (SDF) Joint Steering Committee (JSC) today.
The high-level gathering was held at the Minister’s office and attended by the Director General of the Ministry and senior officials from the SDF Secretariat. Representatives from donor partner countries participated remotely via video conference.
Discussions during the meeting focused on assessing the progress of SDF-funded projects, identifying implementation challenges, and outlining measures to expedite delivery. The committee emphasized the need to ensure that all projects are completed within their designated timelines and yield the anticipated developmental impact.
Members also engaged in extensive dialogue on deepening collaborative ties between the Somaliland government and its international partners. They reaffirmed the critical importance of sustained coordination, operational efficiency, financial accountability, and accelerated execution of projects that align with the nation’s strategic development priorities.
The Joint Steering Committee comprises representatives from the Government of Somaliland and key donor partners, including the United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands. The committee is chaired by the Minister of National Planning and Development.
The Somaliland Development Fund is a multi-donor pooled funding mechanism that supports the implementation of priority initiatives under the National Development Plan (NDP III). In its third phase, SDF III places particular emphasis on building community resilience to climate change, expanding economic infrastructure and essential services, generating livelihood opportunities, raising household incomes, and reducing poverty—all with the goal of fostering inclusive and sustainable growth across the country.