May 7, 2025 (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), in partnership with African Parks Network (APN), convened a two-day high-level collaborative meeting in Addis Ababa from 6–7 May 2025 to advance the implementation of the Transboundary Conservation Project in the Boma–Gambella Landscape. The meeting brought together senior government representatives from Ethiopia and South Sudan, IGAD and APN officials, representatives from the European Union Delegations (EUD).
The Boma–Gambella landscape is one of the most ecologically rich and complex cross-border ecosystems in the IGAD region, encompassing the Boma National Park in South Sudan and the Gambella National Park in Ethiopia. It is home to vast migratory wildlife populations and unique biodiversity that depend on shared seasonal resources across both countries.
Strengthening Regional Cooperation for Biodiversity and Wildlife Protection
Opening the meeting, Mr. Daher Elmi, IGAD’s Director of Agriculture and Environment Division, emphasised the regional significance of the project, stating:
“Our long-term goal is clear—to significantly reduce, and ultimately eliminate, wildlife crime and trafficking in the IGAD region, with a strong focus on the Boma–Gambella transboundary landscape.”
The collaborative meeting aimed to align efforts between national and regional actors, specifically IGAD and APN, which are co-implementing the EU-funded action. While APN leads national-level implementation in South Sudan and Ethiopia, IGAD oversees the regional component through its specialized platform, the Horn of Africa Wildlife Enforcement Network (HAWEN).
Key Objectives and Outcomes
The two-day meeting focused on several strategic objectives, including:
- Introducing project teams and updating stakeholders on progress;
- Reviewing and finalising the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Project Steering Committee;
- Discussing APN’s field-level interventions and aligning them with IGAD’s regional coordination mechanisms;
- Agreeing on a joint IGAD–APN work plan and setting the roadmap for collaborative action.
By the conclusion of the meeting, the following key outcomes were achieved:
- Alignment of a joint work plan between IGAD and APN;
- Endorsement of the draft ToR for the Project Steering Committee;
- Agreement on the date and venue of the Steering Committee’s inaugural meeting;
- Strengthened coordination and communication between national and regional stakeholders.
Cross-Sector Engagement
The meeting featured active participation from diverse stakeholders, including:
- IGAD HAWEN focal points from Ethiopia and South Sudan;
- Senior officials from national wildlife authorities;
- Delegates from the European Union in Djibouti, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.
Presentations were delivered on the status of wildlife in the Boma–Gambella region, IGAD’s cross-border environmental governance frameworks, and APN’s conservation activities on the ground. Discussions emphasised the need for harmonized information sharing, and continuous dialogue to ensure the long-term protection of this fragile ecosystem.
Way Forward
The meeting concluded with a strong spirit of collaboration and renewed commitment to regional integration and sustainable conservation. It reinforced IGAD’s role in convening Member States and technical partners to address cross-border challenges through joint governance, capacity building, and strategic coordination.
IGAD and African Parks, with support from the European Union, will continue working together to implement the shared vision of a secure, biodiverse, and sustainably managed Boma–Gambella ecosystem—one that contributes to ecological resilience, local livelihoods, and foster sustainable development.
