On 7 November, H.E. Fei Shengchao, Chinese Ambassador to Somalia, attended the Somali STEM Summit 2023 and delivered remarks. H.E. Mohamed Bare Mohamud, Somali Minister of Youth and Sports, H.E. Ali Omar, Somali State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Members of Parliament, and Dr. Sadiyo Siad, Chancellor of Hano Academy, professionals of various sectors as well as representatives of diplomatic missions and international organizations in Somalia attended the event.
Ambassador Fei said that the world is undergoing profound scientific and technological transformation, and human beings must unite to meet the common challenges. Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Artificial Intelligence Governance Initiative at the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which represents a tangible move of the Chinese side in this regard. China believes that STEM including artificial intelligence should benefit the whole world rather than create a technology gap. Countries should promote STEM including artificial intelligence to benefit humanity and contribute to building a community with a shared future for mankind. STEM education can promote the progress of science and technology and facilitate peaceful and sustainable development, which is more relevant to Somalia. The Chinese side is committed to working with the Somali side to foster interest of Somali youth in STEM. The Chinese Embassy organized events like Tiangong Dialogue and the Wandering Earth series film screenings. Chinese taikonauts brought a Somali boy's painting into space and exhibited there. It was a prize-winning work of “My Dream” painting competition, and turned a new page in the history of China-Somalia relations. At the same time, China is providing more and more STEM education opportunities for Somali youngsters. An increasing number of Somali students studying in China have chosen STEM majors, including space technology. China will continue to strengthen cooperation and exchanges with Somalia in support of Somali peaceful reconstruction and development.
