New York (SLpost)- Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro) has held a meeting in New York with Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, as the city hosts world leaders and delegations attending the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The meeting took place as the UN General Assembly entered its high-level week, bringing together heads of state, government leaders, foreign ministers and senior diplomats from around the world.
President Irro’s Visit to the United States
President Irro arrived in the United States earlier this month as part of an official working visit focused on strengthening Somaliland’s diplomatic, security and economic engagement with the United States, while highlighting Somaliland’s strategic position in the Horn of Africa and along the Gulf of Aden.
The presidential delegation included senior government officials, including the ministers responsible for foreign affairs, defense and civil aviation.
During his time in Washington, President Irro held meetings with members of both chambers of the U.S. Congress, as well as policymakers and organisations involved in foreign policy and regional security.
The discussions covered Somaliland-U.S. relations, security in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, investment and trade, as well as Somaliland’s campaign for international recognition.
President Irro also participated in political and foreign-policy forums in Washington, where he presented Somaliland’s political, economic and strategic interests and outlined its aspirations for a broader role in international cooperation.
New York and the UN General Assembly
President Irro is now in New York as the United Nations General Assembly enters its high-level segment. The 81st session formally opened on September 8, 2026, while the General Debate began on September 22 and is scheduled to continue through September 28.
The high-level week brings together a large number of heads of state and government, alongside foreign ministers and senior diplomatic representatives. Discussions at this year’s General Assembly include international peace and security, armed conflicts, climate change, development, humanitarian affairs and emerging challenges surrounding artificial intelligence.
Although Somaliland is not a member of the United Nations, the presence of President Irro and his delegation in New York provides an opportunity for Somaliland officials to engage with foreign governments, diplomats and international stakeholders gathered for the General Assembly’s high-level meetings.
Somaliland Recognition Rally in New York
President Irro’s presence in New York also coincides with preparations for a public rally in support of Somaliland’s international recognition near the United Nations headquarters.
Somaliland’s ambassador to the United States, Bashir Goth, has said that the event, known as the Somaliland Recognition Rally, is scheduled to take place at Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza on September 23. Organisers have said the necessary authorisation for the public gathering has been secured.
The rally is a public event organised outside the formal proceedings of the UN General Assembly and is intended to provide an opportunity for members and supporters of the Somaliland community to publicly express support for the territory’s bid for international recognition.
A Second Phase of the U.S. Visit
The New York leg represents a second phase of President Irro’s wider U.S. visit. While Washington provided an opportunity for meetings with members of Congress, foreign-policy figures and other U.S. stakeholders, New York has placed the Somaliland delegation in proximity to a much broader gathering of international leaders and diplomats attending the UN General Assembly.
The meeting with Ambassador Danny Danon also comes amid increasingly visible engagement between Somaliland and Israel. The two sides have taken steps in recent years to expand cooperation, with President Irro visiting Israel in June 2026 and meeting senior Israeli officials, including both President of the State of Israel, Isaac Herzog and prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Discussions during that engagement included cooperation in areas such as security, economic development, technology and other sectors.
Somaliland’s Diplomatic Agenda
Throughout his U.S. visit, President Irro has highlighted issues that Somaliland considers central to its efforts to expand international relations, including its strategic geographic position, the Berbera port, security in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea, trade and investment opportunities.
The President’s meetings in Washington and New York form part of Somaliland’s broader diplomatic campaign to strengthen international engagement and build support for its long-standing pursuit of international recognition.
President Irro’s presence in New York therefore continues the diplomatic engagement initiated during his Washington visit, giving Somaliland an opportunity to engage with international actors during one of the most significant diplomatic gatherings of the year.
