MOGADISHU, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Somalia, alongside UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), officially signed and launched the national Breast-milk Substitutes (BMS) Regulations on Saturday to strictly regulate formula marketing and safeguard child health nationwide.

The regulations, signed during the national kickoff of World Breastfeeding Week 2026, mark a landmark achievement for Somalia and reinforce the country's commitment to protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding.

Ali Haji Adam, Somalia minister for health and human services, said breastfeeding is one of the most effective interventions for ensuring children survive, grow, and thrive.

Adam noted that the signing of the BMS Regulations marks a historic milestone in Somalia's efforts to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding and safeguard every child's right to the best possible start in life.

This milestone comes as Somalia joins the global community in observing World Breastfeeding Week (Aug. 1-7) under the theme "Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works."

WHO Representative to Somalia, Kamil Mohamed, reaffirmed WHO's continued commitment to helping Somalia implement evidence-based policies and strengthen health systems to protect, promote, and support optimal infant feeding practices.

UNICEF Representative to Somalia, Sandra Lattouf, described the adoption of the BMS regulations as a major step toward protecting breastfeeding, noting that optimal infant nutrition provides vital immunity and saves young lives. ■