State fragility must be analyzed beyond security issues and armed conflicts, advocating for an approach that integrates economic, social, institutional, and climate factors. This position was expressed by the Minister of Planning and Development, Salim Valá, on the sidelines of the World Bank Group’s 2026 Fragility Forum, taking place June 8–9 in Washington, D.C.
According to the O Económico website, the minister stated that the challenges faced by countries classified as fragile do not stem solely from violence or political instability, but also from a combination of factors such as poverty, economic exclusion, climate vulnerability, demographic pressures, and institutional limitations.
“This approach is particularly relevant for Africa, where many of the contemporary challenges stem from the intersection of poverty, economic exclusion, demographic pressures, institutional fragility, and growing exposure to the effects of climate change,” Salim Valá stated on the sidelines of the meeting.
The topic was at the center of discussions at the 2026 Fragility Forum, organized by the World Bank under the theme “Transformative Action for the World’s Most Complex Places.” The event brings together representatives from governments, multilateral institutions, academics, civil society organizations, and development experts to discuss solutions for countries affected by conflict, violence, and structural vulnerabilities.
According to the Minister of Planning and Development, the understanding of fragility as a multidimensional phenomenon has been gaining traction among international development partners, reflecting an evolution in how intervention strategies are designed for the most vulnerable countries.
“Beyond the key three pillars of fragility, conflict, and violence, it is essential to bear in mind the vulnerability of countries to internal and external shocks, including economic, climate, and health crises, as well as persistent conflict situations,” he noted.
In recent years, multilateral organizations such as the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and various United Nations agencies have advocated for approaches that seek to address the structural causes of instability by strengthening public institutions, expanding basic services, creating economic opportunities, and promoting social inclusion.
For Salim Valá, strengthening institutional capacity remains a key factor in improving governments’ response to development challenges. He also identified expanding the population’s access to essential services and creating more economic opportunities for young people as priorities.
“It is essential to strengthen institutional capacity, improve the delivery of essential services, and expand employment opportunities for young people as a strategy to better harness the demographic dividend in Mozambique,” he stated.
The issue is particularly relevant for African countries with predominantly young populations and high levels of economic vulnerability. According to various international studies, unemployment, social inequalities, and limited capacity to deliver public services tend to increase the risks of instability and institutional fragility.
In the case of Mozambique, these discussions take on special significance due to the challenges faced in recent years, including the armed insurgency in Cabo Delgado, the impacts of extreme weather events, and the need to accelerate the economic and social recovery of affected communities.
The 2026 Forum on Fragility devotes a significant portion of its agenda to analyzing financing mechanisms, public policies, and cooperation models capable of strengthening countries’ resilience in the face of economic, climate, and security crises.
Participants also seek to identify ways to improve coordination among governments, development partners, and international financial institutions.
