Türkiye, Somalia Sign Social Services Pact

Türkiye and Somalia have signed a memorandum of understanding on social services during the UN climate conference in Antalya, Türkiye’s family minister said on Friday 13 November 2026. It deals with family support, women’s empowerment and children’s rights, according to Turkish reports, and The Rio Times could not find the text published.

What Was Signed

Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, Türkiye’s Minister of Family and Social Services, said in a social media post that she and Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, Somalia’s Minister of Family and Human Rights Development, signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in social services. She wrote that she believed the agreement would put relations with Somalia on a stronger footing.

Turkish reports say Göktaş described talks on support for families, women’s empowerment, children’s rights, and the inclusion of people with disabilities and older people. A Somali report adds that the document provides for joint training, conferences and seminars and for exchanges of experts, and covers work against violence towards women and the protection of children online.

The Climate Link

COP31, the 31st annual UN climate conference, opened in Antalya on 9 November and closes on Friday 20 November 2026, according to the United Nations climate secretariat (UNFCCC). Turkish reports place the signing within the conference, and a Somali report places it in Antalya.

The same Somali report says Al-Makhzoumi also spoke at a COP31 side session on a fair climate transition built on social protection and women’s empowerment. It says she described how drought and recurring floods hit families, women and children in Somalia, and asked for climate finance to reach vulnerable communities.

A Wider Turkish Presence in Somalia

On Thursday 12 November, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Antalya, Türkiye’s Presidential Communications Directorate, the presidential press office, said. Erdoğan said Türkiye would expand cooperation with Somalia, particularly in defence and energy.

Türkiye’s defence ministry, in comments reported on 12 November, said that reports of 15,000 troops going to Somalia at Somalia’s request did not reflect reality. It said its military aid, training and advisory work continues.

Our earlier coverage includes Türkiye’s warships sent to Somalia and Somalia’s US$6.3 billion climate request. For background see our explainer on Somalia’s geopolitics, and find more on our Somalia news page.

What Is Not Known

The Rio Times could not find the memorandum published by either ministry, so its funding, timetable and legal force are unknown. The exact signing date is also unreported, and no financial value has been given, so we cannot say what the deal is worth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Somalia and Türkiye sign?

A memorandum of understanding on cooperation in social services, according to Türkiye’s family minister. It covers support for families, women’s empowerment, children’s rights and inclusion of disabled and older people.

Who signed it?

Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, Türkiye’s Minister of Family and Social Services, and Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, Somalia’s Minister of Family and Human Rights Development.

Has the text been published?

Not that The Rio Times could find. No funding or timetable has been reported either.

When does COP31 end?

On Friday 20 November 2026, according to the United Nations climate secretariat.

Sources: Social media post by Türkiye’s Minister of Family and Social Services, 13 November 2026 (described in Turkish and Somali press reports of 13 and 14 November); Turkish Presidential Communications Directorate statement on the Erdoğan–Hassan Sheikh Mohamud meeting, 12 November 2026; Turkish Ministry of National Defence comments, reported 12 November 2026; United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, COP31 notification (unfccc.int/cop31).

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