ISTANBUL
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said on Friday that the conference on Somalia that took place in Istanbul in 2010 was a turning point for the country.
Delivering a speech in the 2nd Istanbul Conference on Somalia, Ban said that the conference on Somalia that took place in Istanbul in 2010 was a turning point for the country.
Noting that Turkey constructed schools, bridges and hospitals in Somalia and gave hope to Somali people, UNSG Ban said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan paid a visit to Somalia with his family and ministers last year and his visit put forth a great solidarity with Somali people.
The international community should extend assistance to Somalia, he said.
Constitution that would be prepared in Somalia would be a historic one and it would be a beginning, he said. The constitution should have international human rights standards, he said.
Ban said that he was concerned about attacks on journalists in Somalia, stating that in the past five months, six journalists were killed in the country.
Somali leaders should focus on human rights in the political process, he said.
There was need for a comprehensive investment plan for the country, he said.
UN secretary general thanks Erdogan for supporting UN
Ban Ki-moon thanked Erdogan for supporting the UN and hosting Partners Forum for UN Alliance of Civilizations as well as International Somalia Conference.
UN spokesperson's office stated on Thursday that Erdogan and Ban discussed Syria, Somalia, Cyprus and Alliance of Civilizations during their meeting on Thursday.
Ban thanked Turkey for its role and support in UN's activities.
