Djibouti, 9 October 2025 — The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany convened their bilateral consultations on 9 October 2025 in Djibouti to review ongoing cooperation and chart a renewed course for their strategic partnership.
The meeting was co-chaired by H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, Executive Secretary of IGAD, and Ms. Julia Hannig, Head of the East Africa Division at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Senior representatives from IGAD, BMZ, KfW, and the German Embassy in Djibouti participated in the discussions.
Held in a spirit of mutual respect, trust, and shared responsibility, the consultations reaffirmed the depth of the partnership between IGAD and Germany — a collaboration that has evolved over more than two decades in support of peace, resilience, and sustainable development across the Horn of Africa.
Deliberations focused on two principal areas of cooperation: migration and forced displacement, and resilience in the context of climate change. Both parties acknowledged the remarkable progress achieved through ongoing initiatives and agreed to sustain, consolidate, and scale up interventions that have demonstrated tangible benefits for communities in the region.
On migration, the parties noted the successful restructuring and implementation of the Regional Migration Fund (RMF), with Germany announcing an additional €16 million to support the new phase of the Fund. Germany further reaffirmed its commitment of €2.5 million for the new phase of the Strengthening IGAD Migration Policy Implementation (SIMPI) project, and €2.5 million for the Strengthening IGAD’s Capacity for Implementation of the Development Agenda (SCIDA) project.
Technical cooperation will continue to accompany IGAD’s efforts to operationalise its Regional Migration Policy Framework and Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons, thereby promoting safe mobility, economic integration, and enhanced livelihoods across borders.
On resilience, IGAD and BMZ — working through KfW and ICPAC — advanced preparations for a €22.5 million Regional Risk Finance Programme aimed at strengthening the region’s capacity to manage and mitigate climate-related shocks. This initiative complements the IGAD Drought Disaster Resilience and Sustainability Initiative (IDDRSI)and aligns with international frameworks such as the InsuResilience Global Partnership.
Complementary programmes, including the One Health Data, Analytics and Action (OHDAA) project and Better Migration Management (BMM) Phase IV, were also reviewed as part of a broader effort to enhance evidence-based policymaking, institutional coordination, and regional implementation capacity.
Both sides underscored the strategic importance of maintaining a results-oriented, inclusive, and sustainable partnership, underpinned by transparency, policy dialogue, and mutual accountability. They expressed their shared determination to strengthen coordination mechanisms and ensure that joint initiatives remain closely aligned with the priorities of IGAD Member States.
The consultations further highlighted the need to enhance structured policy dialogue between IGAD and Germany, capitalising on existing instruments and frameworks to foster deeper regional cooperation through IGAD’s specialised institutions and programmes.
Ultimately, the meeting reaffirmed the commitment of IGAD and the Federal Republic of Germany to advancing a partnership that delivers concrete outcomes for peace, stability, and resilience in the Horn of Africa.
Done in Djibouti, on 9 October 2025.
