Minister of Information launches National Workshop on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme

Mogadishu, (SONNA) – The Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Federal Government of Somalia, H.E. Abdulfatah Kasim Mohamud, today officially inaugurated the National Workshop on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme, which focuses on the preservation and safeguarding of Somalia’s historical heritage. The workshop was organized by UNESCO in partnership with the JFIT Programme, funded by the Government of Japan. It brought together representatives from government institutions and stakeholders working in the fields of history, culture, arts, literature, and Somali heritage preservation. Lea Simonini, representing UNESCO, emphasized the importance of the programme in strengthening Somalia’s role in preserving historical memory. “The Memory of the World Programme is an initiative dedicated to safeguarding the history of peoples and nations across the world. For the first time in Somalia, we are organizing this workshop to enable experts and stakeholders to exchange knowledge on the importance of preserving history, culture, and heritage, while strengthening national-level engagement and establishing a committee to support this effort. The workshop also highlights the importance of protecting and preserving the historic audio archive of Radio Mogadishu,” said Lea Simonini. In his opening remarks, the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, H.E. Abdulfatah Kasim Mohamud, stressed the importance of preserving national memory and Somalia’s media heritage, noting that the Radio Mogadishu Archive represents a living legacy that carries the history and identity of the Somali people and urgently requires protection. “This workshop on the preservation of collective memory comes at a timely moment. Safeguarding the historical materials contained in our national archives is not merely a technical exercise; it is a national responsibility aimed at protecting the identity and history of the Somali people. The Radio Mogadishu Archive is home to the history of Somali arts, culture, and nation-building, and it requires urgent preservation,” said Minister Abdulfatah. The Minister further noted that the Ministry will prioritize the modernization and preservation of the Radio Mogadishu Archive in collaboration with UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme. The two-day workshop reinforces both national and international efforts to preserve Somalia’s historical archives and contributes to the broader global campaign, led by UNESCO, to safeguard documentary heritage and collective memory.