The Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation, Isabella Lövin, visited the Mogadishu One Stop Youth Centre on 1 December 2016 along with a high-level delegation from the Government of Sweden. Mogadishu government and UN-Habitat representatives accompanied the Swedish visitors.

Mrs. Lövin and her delegation met Somali youth participating in the Shaqeyso training programme, which UN-Habitat is implementing within the framework of Youth Employment Somalia (YES), an initiative funded by Sweden and other donors such as Italy, Denmark, and Switzerland. The three-month Shaqeyso programme offers vulnerable youth vocational skills, life skills, and build-your-own-business training, and also provides young Somalis with a safe place to meet and relax.

Mrs. Lövin discussed with the Shaqeyso trainees the potential of employment in the construction sector for both female and male youth. In addition, the minister spoke to leaders of the Banadir Regional Youth Association about the needs of young Somalis. Together they discussed the kind of city the youth want Mogadishu to become, and what that might look like. The youth shared their opinions and raised their issues with the minister, also expressing appreciation for her visit and for the support of the Swedish Government.