SOBS Director General Holds High-Level Meeting with ISO Secretary-General to Strengthen International Standards Cooperation

Mombasa, Kenya — 26 August 2026 – A high-level delegation led by the Director General of the Somali Bureau of Standards (SOBS), Madam Hawo Ahmed Hassan, held a bilateral meeting with a delegation from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), headed by the ISO Secretary-General, Mr. Sergio Mujica, in Mombasa, Kenya. The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between SOBS and ISO, particularly in the areas of standards development, adoption of international standards, and strengthening Somalia’s participation in the global standards system. During the discussions, Madam Hawo Ahmed Hassan reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to adopting and implementing international standards as part of the country’s efforts to strengthen its National Quality Infrastructure (NQI). She highlighted the importance of standards in facilitating trade, improving product quality, protecting consumers, supporting economic growth, and enhancing the competitiveness of Somali products in regional and international markets. During the meeting, the Director of Standards Development and Trade Facilitation, Mr. Abdikadir Abdisalam, noted that SOBS had recently become a Permanent Member of ISO, marking an important milestone that enables Somalia to participate more actively in international standards development processes, including voting on standards and contributing to ISO governance matters. Both sides recognised the importance of continued cooperation between SOBS and ISO in strengthening Somalia’s quality infrastructure and expanding the participation of Somali experts in international technical committees responsible for developing global standards. The engagement represents an important step towards enhancing Somalia’s role in the international standardisation community and supporting the country’s efforts to promote safe trade, innovation, and sustainable economic development. The Somali Bureau of Standards (SOBS) remains committed to strengthening international partnerships, advancing quality infrastructure, and ensuring Somalia’s active contribution to global standards development.