Mogadishu, 07 June 2026 – The Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Federal Government of Somalia, H.E. Abdulfatah Kasim Mohamud, today officially opened the National Workshop for Somalia as part of UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme, which focuses on the preservation and safeguarding of Somalia’s documentary heritage.
The workshop was organized by UNESCO, under 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 documentary heritage.
Lea Simonini, representing UNESCO, emphasized the importance of the programme in strengthening Somalia’s role in preserving the country’s collective memory.
“UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme was established to ensure that the world’s documentary heritage – its written records, audio materials, photographs, manuscripts, and archives – is preserved and remains accessible to all. Documents are not merely historical objects; they are the carriers of memory. They tell us who we are and where we come from. When they are lost, that memory is lost with them. This workshop marks an important step for Somalia: towards establishing a National Memory of the World Committee, and towards securing international recognition for Radio Mogadishu Archive – a collection of exceptional national and international importance that must be safeguarded before it’s lost,” 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 workshop reinforces both national and international efforts to preserve Somalia’s historical archives and contributes to the broader global programme, led by UNESCO, to preserve, provide access to, and raise awareness about documentary heritage and our collective memory.
