July 22, 2019 (DJIBOUTI, Djibouti): A Delegation from the Institute of African Studies at the Zhejiang Normal University in China, headed by Mr. Shu Zhan, paid a courtesy visit to the Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in Djibouti this morning.

Mr. Mohamed Moussa, Director of Agriculture and Environment Division and Officer-in-Charge of the Secretariat, welcomed the Delegation on behalf of H.E. Amb. (Eng.) Mahboub Maalim, Executive Secretary of IGAD and on his own behalf. Present were also Mr. Elsadig Abdella, Director of Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration and Dr. Debalkew Berhe, Programme Manager for Environment Protection.

The purpose of the visit was to discuss areas of cooperation between IGAD and China, particularly in the areas of peace and security in the Horn of Africa.

Mr. Mohamed briefed the delegation on the current situation in the region, in particular in South Sudan, Sudan and Somalia, including the new developments in the Red Sea region.

After an in-depth deliberation, the need for a balanced approach in enhancing peace and security and development efforts in the region was emphasized. In this regard, the IGAD team requested the Chinese delegation to work closely with IGAD and increase its support to peace and security as well as development efforts in the region.

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