The 2024 Annual Report highlights strategic interventions and outcomes across key developmental pillars, aligned with the IGAD Vision 2050 and IGAD Strategic Plan 2021-2025. IGAD appreciates its Member States, Development Partners and Stakeholders for their continued financial and technical support, which enabled the implementation of vital programmes, projects and activities in 2024.

a) Transforming Capacities to Respond to Food Crises

In 2024, IGAD implemented a multifaceted strategy to improve food systems resilience. This included strengthening drought early warning systems in cross-border areas, enhancing agricultural productivity through support to smallholders, expanding fishery and aquaculture development, promoting sustainable rangeland management and advancing research on food systems resilience in the region. Sanitary and phytosanitary systems were strengthened, community capacity was built, and cross-border food security programs were advanced. Knowledge sharing platforms and the use of digital tools played key roles in information dissemination and early warning systems.

b) Enhancing Sustainable Management of Natural Resources

To enhance the sustainable management of natural resources, significant progress was made in transboundary water governance, land administration, and environmental conservation. Capacity building workshops were supported on different thematic areas on groundwater. IGAD’s efforts in land governance focused on supporting Member States to develop and/or review their national land policies through a harmonized regional policy framework. IGAD also focused on formalizing landtenure, especiallyforwomen andminoritygroups,and promoted land use planning in pastoral regions. Efforts also supported restoration of degraded lands and alignment of local land policies with regional strategies.

c) Strengthening Resilience to Climate Change Impacts

Regarding strengthening resilience to climate change impacts, the region saw increased availability and uptake of climate services produced by IGAD. Capacity-building initiatives supported national meteorological agencies, enhanced the skills of meteorologists and forecasters in Eastern and Southern Africa, and climate-smart agriculture practices were promoted. Tools like CUWALID (a hydrological model) and predictive analytics for disaster displacement were introduced to guide interventions and reduce climate-related vulnerabilities. IGAD successfully operationalized the Climsoft Climate Data Management Software (CDMS) for the Sudan and South Sudan Meteorological Authorities.

d) Creating an Enabling Environment for Regional Trade and Integration

In pursuit of its regional integration priorities, IGAD continued to deliver strategic interventions through the digital and energy integration projects, aimed at expanding secure ICT access and harmonizing regional digital regulations.The Desert to Power initiative fostered regional renewable energy development. These initiatives contribute to unified markets, digital trade, andcross-border infrastructure improvements.

e) Enhancing Social Inclusion and Empowering Vulnerable Populations

In 2024, IGAD also dedicated its efforts towards achieving improved social well-being and human productivity for inclusive development in the region, ensuring increased access to health services, and enhanced movement of people, quality education and youth empowerment. Major health initiatives included advancing regional TB control programs in refugee settings and digital health system rollouts. In addition, migration policies were harmonized, and economic inclusion for migrants was promoted via the Kampala Declaration. Education programs and regional scholarships were expanded, while social protection frameworks aimed at vulnerable groups— including refugees and the disabled—were strengthened.

f) Building a Peaceful, Secure and Stable Region

To address existing peace and security challenges in the region, IGAD supported several interventions conflict early warning and early response, peace building and mediation, addressing transnational security threats, preventing and countering violent extremism, and supporting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden efforts. IGAD’s mediation efforts, notably in Sudan and South Sudan, included support for constitutional processes, transitional justice, and conflict early warning systems. Diplomatic engagement with actors like the Tagaduum in Sudan and shuttle diplomacy in South Sudan illustrated IGAD’s continued leadership in regional peace and security. Efforts to counter violent extremism and enhance post- conflict reconstruction also progressed.

g) Building a Stronger IGAD for Better Service Delivery

Institutional reforms emphasized digital transformation, with advances in ERP systems, digital monitoring tools, and paperless workflows. Budget transparency improved, IPSAS compliance was expanded, and partnerships with Microsoft supported the digitalization roadmap. IGAD also prioritized gender mainstreaming, evidence-based decision-making, and strategic communications to strengthen its operational impact.