In a year marked by profound challenges and transformative opportunities, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has once again demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to fostering peace, security, integration, and sustainable development across our region.
The year 2024 will be remembered as a pivotal period for the IGAD region—a time when the interconnected crises of conflict, climate change, food insecurity, public health threats, and economic instability tested the fabric of our societies. Yet, it is also a year when collective action, guided by the principles of solidarity, cooperation, and innovation, paved the way for hope and tangible progress.
Guided by our Vision 2050 and anchored in the IGAD Regional Strategy 2021-2025, we advanced key initiatives across our five strategic pillars: Agriculture and Environment, Economic Integration, Social Development, Peace and Security, and Corporate Development Services. This Annual Report captures the milestones achieved and the spirit of determination that drives IGAD and its Member States forward.
Despite recurrent droughts, devastating floods, and ongoing conflicts in parts of our region, IGAD has been at the forefront, coordinating humanitarian responses, enhancing climate resilience, supporting peace processes, and fostering economic cooperation. Through partnerships with Member States, regional organizations, and international stakeholders, we have implemented cross-border initiatives that tackle the root causes of vulnerability while promoting long-term stability and growth.
In South Sudan and Sudan, IGAD’s mediation and diplomatic engagements reaffirmed our role as a trusted regional actor in conflict prevention and resolution. Our efforts to support constitutional processes, transitional mechanisms, and inclusive dialogues underscore our commitment to sustainable peace.
IGAD’s leadership in disaster risk management, climate prediction, and resilience programming has been instrumental in mitigating the adverse impacts of environmental shocks related to food security and climate action. The integration of advanced technologies, such as AI-driven early warning systems, reflects our commitment to innovation in safeguarding livelihoods.
Health and social development remained central to our agenda. From enhancing disease surveillance systems to strengthening TB control in refugee settings, IGAD continued to promote regional solutions to public health challenges, ensuring that vulnerable populations are not overlooked.
The strides made in regional integration, particularly in digital market frameworks, energy cooperation, and trade facilitation, highlight our vision of a connected and economically empowered IGAD region. These initiatives lay the foundation for inclusive growth, job creation, and sustainable development.
Institutionally, IGAD has advanced its digital transformation agenda, streamlined financial management systems, and reinforced governance structures to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accountability. These internal reforms are critical enablers of our external impact.
As we look back on 2024, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the Member States, development partners, civil society, private sector representatives, and IGAD staff. Your commitment and teamwork have been fundamental to our successes. Your steadfast support highlights that addressing regional challenges necessitates regional solutions rooted in trust, a shared vision, and collaborative efforts.
As we move forward, IGAD is committed to reshaping the region into a resilient, peaceful, prosperous, and integrated community. The journey ahead is certainly intricate; however, through united goals and flexible leadership, we will persist in converting challenges into opportunities for our people.
This report documents our efforts and proves our collective potential. In an ever-evolving geopolitical and environmental context, IGAD will persist in promoting cooperation, inclusivity, and sustainability across all our initiatives.
Together, we advance toward a future where every citizen of the IGAD region enjoys peace, dignity, and prosperity.
