A conference co-chaired by the United Nations and Turkey will be held in Istanbul next week to discuss ways to assist and show political solidarity with Somalia, a UN spokesman said Wednesday.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will attend the meeting that he and the Turkish government have convened, said Martin Nesirky.
The UN Security Council also discussed the situation in Somalia in a meeting at UN headquarters, and was urged by the UN special representative for the country, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, to adopt measures to support the troubled Horn of African nation, DPA reported.
"I have always stated that the peace process is based on three inter-related pillars - reconciliation, security and development," Ould-Abdullah said in an interview with UN radio before attending the council meeting.
He said the three pillars should be addressed simultaneously. Somalia is upset by problems of piracy off its coast, which cast a troubled image on the country.
He said one of Somalia's assets is its vibrant business community, both inside and outside the country. He said the Istanbul conference can provide an exceptional opportunity to help the business community work constructively.
UN: Istanbul conference to show support for Somalia
