MOGADISHU. Between 5 and 6 October, the EU-Somalia Business Forum took place in Mogadishu, bringing together government officials, international diplomats, private-sector leaders, investors and development partners for a landmark two-day summit focused on unlocking Somalia’s high- potential markets to European investors.The Italian delegation, led and coordinated by the Embassy of Italy in Somalia, brought together representatives of Sistema Italia, including Pier Mario Daccò Coppi, Ambassador of Italy to Somalia, Fabio Minniti, Head of the Nairobi Office of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), and Claudio Pasqualucci, Director of the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) Office in Addis Ababa, also responsible for Somalia, alongside representatives of the Italian private sector. Italy’s participation reflected a coordinated approach combining diplomatic engagement, development cooperation, trade and investment promotion, and private-sector involvement, within the broader framework of European efforts to strengthen economic partnerships with Somalia.Under the theme “Invest in Somalia: Unlocking High-Potential Markets”, the Forum brought together Somali authorities, European companies and investors, development partners and other key stakeholders. It provided an important platform to explore investment opportunities, foster partnerships between Somali and European businesses, and discuss the conditions needed to unlock Somalia’s economic potential and support sustainable private-sector development.“Italy is committed to strengthening its partnership with Somalia and supporting opportunities that contribute to sustainable and inclusive growth, job creation and increased investment. The EU-Somalia Business Forum provides an important platform to turn these opportunities into concrete initiatives,” said Ambassador Daccò Coppi.Among the key discussions was the panel “Fisheries and the Blue Economy: Turning Somalia’s Coastline into Sustainable Prosperity,” where representatives of the Somali Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy, AICS Nairobi, the Somali fisheries private sector explored how marine resources can drive sustainable and inclusive growth and decent jobs, while protecting ocean ecosystems.Speaking during the panel, AICS Nairobi Head of Office Fabio Minniti stressed that “Somalia’s coastline is an extraordinary economic asset, but a coastline alone is not a business model.” Development cooperation, he explained, should help create the institutions, infrastructure, skills, technology and partnerships needed to turn this resource into a competitive value chain. It should create an enabling environment for communities to participate and reduce the risks and structural constraints so that the private sector can drive businesses to scale