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JOSP stakeholders convene to assess JOSP progress and endorse the Programme Steering Committee (PSC) as high-level decision-making body. 

Mogadishu, 19 February 2025 – The first bi-annual Programme Steering Committee (PSC) meeting for the Jowhar Offstream Storage Programme (JOSP) was held in Mogadishu today to review implementation progress and set strategic directions for the programme. 

The meeting brought together representatives from the Government of Somalia, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and other UN partners, and key international development partners. Chaired by the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, the PSC’s role is to oversee programme implementation, monitor performance, and serve as a forum to discuss emerging challenges. 

His Excellency Mohamed A. Hayir, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation of the Federal Government of Somalia, underlined the importance of this milestone in programme delivery, noting that “today marks the start of the major activities. The reports and assessments are concluded.” 

“This programme is transformative. It will boost productivity, employment, and community resilience for the future,” said George Conway, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Resident, and Humanitarian Coordinator. He emphasized the need for a whole-of-government approach to unlock JOSP’s full potential. 

During the proceedings, the Committee received reports from the Chief Technical Advisor and technical leads of the different components of the programme, and reviewed and assessed progress, risks, and implementation challenges. 

The meeting concluded with the endorsement of the Terms of Reference for the Committee as the high-level decision-making body for the programme. 

The Jowhar Offstream Storage Programme (JOSP), is a large-scale, transformative initiative that aims to build resilience and improve the wellbeing for communities along the Shabelle river and beyond. It currently has four component projects: RESTORE, TRANSFORM, Maareynta, and YOU-ACT. Implemented by five UN Agencies (FAO, UNEP, IOM, UN Habitat and UNIDO) in close collaboration with government, the programme aims to significantly reduce flood risks, mitigate drought impacts, support local production, and enhance food security for an estimated 1.65 million people.