June 9, 2025 (ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia) : The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the Government of Sweden convened a high-level bilateral meeting today to review their ongoing development cooperation and explore new strategic priorities in the region.
The meeting brought together IGAD Executive Secretary, H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, and H.E. Ambassador Hans Lundquist, Sweden’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Djibouti, also accredited to IGAD. The discussions were anchored on the long-standing partnership between IGAD and Sweden, which spans over four decades.
At the heart of the deliberations was the current IGAD–Sweden project portfolio, covering critical sectors such as the blue economy, gender equality, migration governance, and youth empowerment. The two sides reaffirmed their mutual commitment to advancing peace, stability, and inclusive development in the IGAD region.
H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Sweden for their steadfast support over the years. He noted that IGAD values Sweden not only as a development partner but also as a trusted ally in shaping regional policy and investing in long-term resilience.
Ambassador Lundquist reiterated Sweden’s continued commitment to supporting IGAD’s mandate and acknowledged the unique role the organisation plays in fostering regional cooperation and integration in the Horn of Africa.
The meeting concluded with a shared understanding to scale up cooperation and align future programming with emerging regional priorities, including climate resilience, peacebuilding, and socio-economic inclusion.
