25.03.2017, Nairobi, Kenya: The Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) H.E. Amb. (Eng.) Mahboub Maalim this morning met with Mr. George Okoth Obbo, Assistant High Commissioner – Operations in the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees (UNHCR) and other high-level staff from IGAD and UNHCR.
The meeting was called for IGAD and UNHCR to touch base and recommit their partnership for the implementation of the Declaration that the Heads of State and Government will adopt at the Special Summit on Durable Solutions for Somali Refugees on March 25, 2017 in Nairobi, Kenya.
H.E. Amb. Maalim expressed his gratitude to UNHCR for the partnership and special working relations between the two organizations over the years.
“We have been able to showcase a model that can be serve as an example in other countries and situations that work towards the transformation and addressing the needs of the people in the region,” Amb. Maalim added.
In the same spirit, Mr. Okoth expressed his gratitude to the IGAD Executive Secretary and staff of IGAD for the great leadership and commitment for putting together a timely detailed and comprehensive framework within a short period of time.
“The framework sets us on a stage that cannot be taken for granted and call upon IGAD Member States and the international community to give it priority and support,” Mr. Okoth urged.
The two organizations recommitted to tap on existing resources, skills and tools to compliment their roles and responsibilities to maximize and move together strongly.
