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On 4 February, ESCWA Executive Secretary Rola Dashti wrapped up a joint three-day visit to Djibouti with Executive Officer of the Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND) Nasser Al Qahtani, where she held high-level meetings and field visits aimed at advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and inclusive economic growth.
The mission included discussions with President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh and Prime Minister Aboulkader Karim Mohamed, who emphasized the strategic priorities of the ambitious national Vision 2035. The President also highlighted the importance of sustainable development to ensure stability and prosperity not only in Djibouti, but across the region.
During a working lunch with several ministers, Dashti emphasized the readiness of ESCWA to provide technical assistance, share best practices, and offer policy advice to address Djibouti's diverse developmental priorities. In a separate meeting with Minister of Economy and Finance in Charge of Industry, Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh-whose team facilitated the highly productive visit-conversations focused on mobilizing domestic resources, fostering inclusive finance, and ensuring sound debt management.
The Executive Secretary also met with Governor of the Central Bank Ahmed Osman Ali, stressing the importance of broadening domestic capital markets to spur entrepreneurship and support the country's pursuit of equitable and resilient growth. Additionally, she engaged with young entrepreneurs at the Centre de leadership et de l'entrepreneuriat (CLE), exploring ways to strengthen the enabling environment for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). She highlighted that, by enhancing access to resources, training, and mentorship, SMEs can become a key driver of job creation and economic empowerment-especially given Djibouti's youthful population, 60% of which are under 30.
Seeking a closer look at how Djibouti is implementing Vision 2035 through enhanced competitiveness, Dashti and the accompanying delegation toured the Djibouti Ports and Free Zone Authority Headquarters and met with its Chairman, Aboubaker Omar Hadi. The visit offered insights into the port's strategic role in regional trade and logistics, and how infrastructure investments can foster sustainable economic development.
Throughout her engagements, the Executive Secretary lauded Djibouti's efforts in advancing the SDGs and capitalizing on its strategic position. She also highlighted the value of partnering with AGFUND to create stronger synergy between national objectives and broader regional development goals. ESCWA will continue supporting Djibouti through capacity-building, policy guidance, and technical expertise to ensure that the country's transformative aspirations yield tangible benefits for all citizens.
