March 21, 2023 (DJIBOUTI, Djibouti): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and representatives from Sweden meet for the third time in Djibouti.
The meeting was attended by Ambassador of Sweden to Ethiopia Hans Lundquist, Dr Ulla Andren, the Head of Cooperation at Swedish Embassy in Addis Ababa and Seniors from IGAD.
The purpose of the meeting was to follow up on the Swedish contribution to IGAD and progress of programmes and projects. This includes a financial and administrative review of the programmes/projects, general dialogue on matters concerning them and information regarding developments in the region and strategic responsive actions by IGAD.
In his opening remarks and on behalf of IGAD Executive Secretary, Director of Administration and Finance, Mr Josephat Onyari said: “The meeting enables us to collectively look at the wide range of development cooperation initiatives, to which we register the full appreciation to the Government and People of Sweden for the generous support. We also reflect on challenges, opportunities and lessons drawn from implementation of projects while at the same time deliberating on new better ways of delivering services and adding value to the aspirations of our Member States.”
The meeting was an opportunity for IGAD project and programme managers to present the status of the projects and programmes they are leading. General discussions followed.
Background
The cooperation between the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and Sweden dates back to the founding Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Inter Governmental Authority for Drought and Desertification (IGADD) held from 15th to 17th January 1986 in Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti. H.E. Nilis G. Revelius- Ambassador of Sweden to Ethiopia and the Republic of Djibouti represented the Honorable STEN ANDERSON, Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs at the occasion. In his statement, he expressed confidence in IGADD to combat desertification and economic underdevelopment and hoped that the cooperation between IGADD and Sweden would contribute to peace and prosperity in the region.
At the first ever IGADD Donors’ Conference held between 16th and 18th March 1987 in Djibouti, Ambassador Anders Forse, from Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement on behalf of Nordic Countries acknowledged that the IGADD cooperation on drought and development had a pragmatic approach on regional integration, and especially through the selection of projects with a regional approach.He implored IGADD to direct efforts towards designing and implementing practical cooperation programmes within the region and between the various member countries, for its successful impact.
