Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, March 17, 2025 – The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is set to host the 3rd IGAD Water Forum from May 19 to 21, 2025, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This premier regional event will bring together policymakers, researchers, water sector professionals, development partners, and international stakeholders to strengthen regional groundwater cooperation under the theme:
“Building a Platform for Sustainable Regional Groundwater Cooperation”
Why This Forum Matters
Groundwater is a critical resource for water security, economic development, and environmental stability in the IGAD region. With rising population growth, urbanization, and climate variability, demand for water is increasing, making sustainable groundwater management essential. The IGAD region hosts several transboundary aquifers—including the Dawa, Northern Basement, and Shabelle aquifers—which require coordinated management and policy development to address shared challenges.
The 3rd IGAD Water Forum builds on the progress of previous fora, providing a collaborative platform to:
- Develop governance frameworks for transboundary groundwater management.
- Share knowledge from key research initiatives such as the Joint Regional Study (JRS) and the Dawa Feasibility Study.
- Strengthen partnerships among IGAD Member States, development partners, and international organizations.
- Promote innovative tools and methodologies for groundwater assessment in data-scarce regions.
- Draft a strategic roadmap for future groundwater resilience and cooperation.
Call for Abstracts – Submission Deadline: March 30, 2025
IGAD invites researchers, water experts, and professionals to contribute to the forum theme and sub-themes through abstract submissions. Interested participants should submit an abstract of up to 300 words, including three relevant keywords, to the Forum Secretariat at 3rdWaterForum@igad.int by March 29, 2025. Accepted abstracts will be presented during the forum’s sessions, offering a unique platform to showcase research, policy insights, and innovative solutions.
Registration Now Open
Registration for the 3rd IGAD Water Forum is now open via the official forum homepage:
🔗 https://igad.int/3rd-igad-water-forum/
Participants are encouraged to register in advance to secure their spot, as venue capacity is limited. For further inquiries regarding participation, abstract submission, or other logistical arrangements, please contact the Forum Secretariat at 3rdWaterForum@igad.int.
Expected Outcomes
- Strengthened regional collaboration between IGAD member states, development partners, and international organizations.
- Dissemination of key research findings to support evidence-based groundwater management decisions.
- Enhanced capacity through the introduction of cutting-edge tools and training on groundwater assessment.
- A strategic roadmap co-developed by stakeholders to guide future groundwater resilience and cooperation efforts.
For more on the conference:
Forum Secretariat:
Email: 3rdWaterForum@igad.int
For media Inquiries:
Austine Opata
Email: austine.opata@igad.int
