Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Somaliland President Abdirahman Irro met at the World Economic Forum in Davos, marking the highest-level engagement since Israel recognized Somaliland and signaling deeper diplomatic, economic and security cooperation
DAVOS, Switzerland — Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro held a high-level dinner meeting late Wednesday on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, marking the most senior public engagement between the two sides since Israel formally recognized Somaliland last month.
The dinner, attended by Eric Trump, son of the President of the United States, underscored the growing political and business interest surrounding Israel’s landmark decision to recognize the Republic of Somaliland on Dec. 26, 2025. The encounter signaled what both governments described as the beginning of a new phase of diplomatic, economic and security cooperation.
“I was pleased to meet here in Davos with the President of Somaliland,” Herzog said in a statement released after the meeting. “I welcome the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two nations and look forward to deepening our bilateral cooperation for the benefit of both our peoples.”
According to a statement from the Somaliland presidency, the discussions were conducted “in an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust” and focused on expanding state-to-state cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including security and defense, technology, agriculture, water management, healthcare, energy and mining, as well as broader social and institutional partnerships.
The two leaders also discussed joint efforts to promote peace and stability in the Horn of Africa, a region of growing strategic importance situated along key global shipping routes linking Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
President Irro expressed gratitude to the Israeli government and people for what he described as Israel’s “historic and courageous step” in recognizing Somaliland’s sovereignty after more than three decades of self-rule.
“This recognition affirms the right of the people of Somaliland to exist as an independent state,” Irro said, according to the Somaliland presidency. He emphasized that Somaliland seeks to be a reliable, long-term partner, pointing to its record of relative stability, democratic governance, respect for the rule of law and commitment to peaceful regional engagement.
Both leaders later confirmed the meeting in public posts on X, highlighting their shared interest in advancing bilateral relations.
“I welcome the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two nations and look forward to deepening our bilateral cooperation for the benefit of both our peoples,” Herzog wrote.
Irro, in his own post, said the talks focused on “strengthening and advancing bilateral relations between the Republic of Somaliland and the State of Israel,” adding that he also met Eric Trump and other senior global political and business figures during the Davos gathering.
The Davos meeting follows a visit earlier this month by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to Somaliland, where he met Irro and other senior officials and publicly encouraged additional countries to recognize Somaliland’s sovereignty.
Israel remains the only country to have formally recognized Somaliland, which reclaimed its sovereignty in 1991 following the collapse of Somalia’s central government. Despite lacking broad international recognition, Somaliland has maintained its own government, security forces and electoral institutions and has held multiple competitive elections over more than three decades.
Somaliland officials said Irro is expected to travel to Israel following the World Economic Forum, where several bilateral agreements may be formally signed, paving the way for expanded political, economic and security cooperation. No date has been publicly confirmed.
The invitation to Davos itself has been widely interpreted as a symbolic milestone for Somaliland’s diplomatic push.
“The decision by the World Economic Forum to invite the Somaliland president barely one month after Israel’s recognition is a powerful signal of international elite endorsement,” said Rashid Abdi, a Horn of Africa analyst at Sahan Global. “It offers Somaliland an excellent opportunity to be noticed by those who effectively run the world.”
Somaliland’s foreign minister, Abdirahman Dahir Adam, said in a separate post that his engagements in Davos highlighted Somaliland’s “distinctive historical journey” and its right to self-determination, as well as the broader implications of Israel’s recognition for regional stability.
“Recognizing Somaliland strengthens global stability and rewards merit,” Adam wrote, calling for “win-win partnerships” in Red Sea security, trade, technological innovation and joint efforts against extremism.
Parliamentary leaders echoed that message. Abdikader Mohamed Hassan, chairman of the Somaliland parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, said recognition reflects decades of demonstrated governance rather than diplomatic charity.
“Somaliland is not a nation waiting to be validated,” he wrote. “Recognition is not a gift to be begged for; it is a right earned through 30 years of peace, governance and genuine democracy.”
Alongside diplomacy, Somaliland used the Davos platform to highlight its economic ambitions. President Irro told business leaders that 66 companies have expressed interest in operating within the Berbera Port Free Trade Zone, citing growing confidence in Somaliland’s stability.
He praised DP World’s initial investment in Berbera in 2016 as a “bold step” and noted that recent investment by the British government’s investment arm in DP World further underscored Somaliland’s credibility as a secure destination for international capital.
“Our ambitions extend beyond this,” Irro said. “Together with DP World and Ethiopia, we are expanding economic infrastructure, including trade corridors and modern ports, to efficiently serve landlocked nations in the region.”
Addressing global media and international investors in Davos, Irro delivered what aides described as a clear message: Somaliland is stable, democratic, open for investment and ready for global partnerships.
“Somaliland is not waiting for recognition,” one senior official said. “It is shaping its future.”
